Influence of Shape of Coarse Aggregate on Performance of Open Graded Friction Course

Abstract

As a new kind of pavement material, the Open Graded Friction Course (called OGFC) has many advantages, and so is rapidly popularized in China recently. However, the performance of OGFC decreases with the utilization of road, such as the decrease in permeability, durability and so on. In the present study, the influence of the shape of coarse aggregate, which is the most important material in OGFC, on the performance of OGFC was investigated in laboratory. The shape of coarse aggregate is indicated by the bulk density and total 4 kinds of aggregates with different bulk density were produced artificially and tested in this study. When the shape of coarse aggregate changed, the wear resistance and dynamic stability of OGFC also changed lightly. The bulk density of aggregate has no serious influence on the void content, but has obvious influence on the permeability of OGFC. The shape of continuous void in horizontal cross-section becomes rounder when the aggregate with large bulk density is used. The rounder continuous void is benefit for the flowing of water, so the permeability of OGFC is improved.