Evaluation of the mechanical stability of asphalt mixture using the gyratory compactor

Abstract

In this study, four asphalt mixtures were produced using two different aggregate sources, three aggregate gradations, and six asphalt contents. Super Gyratory Compactor SGC was used to compact all mixtures. The SGC produced densification curves were used to determine volumetric properties of the mixture. It is necessary to evaluate the construction and the densification caused due to the traffic loading. Considering the Construction Densification Index CDI, (the area that is under the densification curve ranges from density at eight gyrations to a density of 92 % of the theoretical maximum specific gravity), that stands for work validation through the period of construction to achieve the percentage of air void of about 8 %. Since all the mixtures used in this study are Superpave designed mixtures, it is important to determine whether the Traffic Force Index (TFI) value can be identified with the stability of mixture as measured by the Marshall stability. The Superpave Gyratory results show very interesting indications that the SGC can be adopted as a tool for the estimation of the mechanical stability of mixtures. According to the presented results, the traffic index TFI, estimated from the SGC, is associated with the Marshall stability.