Laboratory Evaluation of a Vertical Vibration Testing Method for an SMA-13 Mixture

Yingjun Jiang,Jiangtao Fan,Changqing Deng,Yong Yi,Jinshun Xue,Fuyu Wang

doi:10.3390/ma13194409

Yingjun Jiang, Jiangtao Fan + Show 4 more

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https://doi.org/10.3390/ma13194409

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Abstract

In order to simulate the on-site compaction conditions of a Stone Matrix Asphalt (SMA) mixture, The Vertical Vibration Testing Method (VVTM), Superpave Gyratory Compactor (SGC), and Marshall method are used to test the SMA-13 mixture, and the physical and mechanical properties of the asphalt mixture designed by these three methods are tested. Subsequently, the influences of the molding method on the mechanical properties are compared. The influence of vibration compaction time on the volume parameters of the SMA mixture is studied. Following the heavy traffic compaction standards, the vibration compaction time of the SMA mixture is determined. The results show that the densities of the heavy Marshall specimen, VVTM specimen, and SGC specimen are 1.018 times, 1.019 times, and 1.015 times greater than that of the standard Marshall specimen, respectively. The passing rate of the 4.75 mm aggregate of the standard Marshall specimen is 29.9%, and that of the VVTM specimen and SGC specimen is 31.1% and 30.5%, respectively, while that of the heavy Marshall specimen is 34.5%. The mechanical strength of the specimen can be greatly improved as the density increases. On the other hand, by the same compaction work, the mechanical strength of the VVTM specimens can be increased by at least 7% compared with the heavy Marshall specimen. The mechanical strength of the VVTM specimen is increased by at least 22% compared with the standard Marshall specimen. The results also show that under the optimal asphalt-aggregate ratio and the same compaction work, the compressive strength and shear strength of the VVTM specimens are increased by at least 6% and 9%, respectively, compared with the Marshall specimens. In summary, the performance of the asphalt mixture designed by the VVTM is superior, providing a wider choice for future asphalt mixture design.

Highlights

The Stone Matrix Asphalt (SMA) has excellent road performance, such as rut resistance, crack resistance, skid resistance, and durability; it has been widely used worldwide [1]
The physical properties and mechanical properties of the mixture designed by the Vertical Vibration Testing Method (VVTM), Marshall method, and Superpave Gyratory Compactor (SGC) method were studied and compared
(2) Due to the different compaction principles, different compaction methods had different degrees of crushing effect on the aggregate in the SMA-13 specimen; this is consistent with Zulkuf Kaya’s research results; the passing rates proved that the crushing effect of the VVTM on the aggregates was less than that of the Marshall method with the same compaction work

Summary

Introduction

The Stone Matrix Asphalt (SMA) has excellent road performance, such as rut resistance, crack resistance, skid resistance, and durability; it has been widely used worldwide [1]. Owing to the different compaction methods of the SMA mixture, the performance of the aggregate mixture will vary greatly, resulting in differences in the physical and mechanical properties and road performance. In the 1970s, the Marshall method was introduced in China [7], and the number of compaction blows was determined to be 50. The SMA pavements designed by the Marshall method with early ruts, oil spills, and water seepage indicate that the Marshall compaction standard cannot meet current traffic requirements [9,13,14,15]. The Marshall specimen has a poor correlation with the mechanical properties of the site so that the test indicators of the specimen produced by the Marshall method in the laboratory cannot determine the quality of the field pavement very well [9,13,16]

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Discussion

Conclusion