IMPROVEMENT IN THE DURABILITY OF ASPHALTIC PAVEMENT

This report is a formalization of several oral and written reports to representatives of the Mississippi State Highway Department and the Federal Highway Administration over the past year. The report summarizes the progress to date as conclusions strongly suggest that degradation of asphalt Conclusions strongly suggest that degradation of asphalt concrete is dependent on: The wettability of the solid substrate (aggregate as it affects the strength of the asphalt-aggregate) bond, particularly in the presence of water, and temperature as it affects both the internal pore pressure of the system and the redistribution of the asphaltic binder within the system, again the presence of water. Further, it is suggested that: Field modification of existing asphalt hot-mix plants is technically feasible and would require relatively small additional capital to apply the process in the field. It is further suggested that the deleterious effects of wettability, water, and temperature can largely be obviated by treating the surface of the aggregate to render it oleophilic (asphaltophilic). This results in a practical means of producing more durable asphalt concrete pavements. Improvement in yield value, ultimate unconfined compressive strength, elasticity and tensile strength are demonstrated.