Evaluation of the pavement performance

Abstract

Abstract This paper focuses on evaluation of two laboratory-based methods of compaction of foamed bitumen and bitumen emulsion mixes: impact compaction with a Marshall hammer and static compaction using a hydraulic press. The investigated compaction methods were assessed in terms of their impact on the physical and mechanical properties of produced laboratory specimens, including: air void content, indirect tensile strength before and after conditioning in water (ITSdry, ITSwet), tensile strength ratio (TSR), and indirect tensile stiffness modulus (ITSM) at 0°C, 10°C and 20°C. The statically compacted specimens attained higher levels of mechanical properties and resistance to moisture damage, which was associated with a lower content of air voids in the specimens formed using a hydraulic press. Authors present a calculation showing that a mechanistic design based on the laboratory static press compaction method leads to overestimation of fatigue cracking resistance of the road base.