DEVELOPMENT AND PROPOSED IMPLEMENTATION OF A FIELD PERMEABILITY TEST FOR ASPHALT CONCRETE

Abstract

The objectives of this study were as follows: 1) To review research performed by others and determine the state-of-the-art of field permeability measurements; 2) To review current laboratory permeability testing devices and their testing procedures for accuracy; 3) To develop a rapid and repeatable field test for measuring permeability of asphalt mixtures and aggregate bases or accept an already existing method; 4) To correlate this device with known laboratory testing procedures; 5) To determine if a correlation exists between field permeability and other measurable pavement parameters; 6) To define acceptable permeability rates for asphalt mixtures and aggregate base courses; and 7) To develop a quality control/quality assurance (QC/QA) specification and procedure for application in construction practices. An air-induced field permeameter (AIP) was developed and was correlated with a water permeameter developed by the National Center for Asphalt Technology (NCAT). An attempt was also made to correlate the device with a laboratory permeameter developed by the Florida Department of Transportation, but the attempt was not considered successful. The AIP was tested on 12 construction projects in Kentucky.