Laboratory study on asphalt mixtures for application in port pavements

Abstract

The aim of this paper was to analyze the mechanical behavior of various asphalt mixtures for application in pavements for ports, particularly with a view to developing and designing asphalt materials that could be used as an alternative to traditional concrete pavements in ports. The advantages of using such materials include a reduction in the time and costs associated with the construction and periodic maintenance operations required for port pavements, particularly in areas designated for container operations. For this purpose, five High Modulus Asphalt Mixtures (HMAM), with different types of aggregates and bitumen were analyzed through laboratory tests specifically developed to assess the main failure modes of these materials when used in port pavements. The tests focused on static punching due to container storage; impacts of loads generated during the unloading of containers; and the combined effect of heavy vehicles with fuel action due to spills from vehicles and containers. Additionally, these properties were measured in a full-scale section reproduced in laboratory to evaluate the performance of the bituminous under real conditions. The results demonstrate that the type of bitumen – as opposed to the type of aggregate – has a stronger impact on the mechanical performance of HMAM when used in port pavements. Thus, the use of modified bitumens generally allows for improving the resistance of the HMAM in comparison with conventional bitumen, particularly under adverse service conditions, where the mixture with rubberized bitumen was found to be the most appropriate solution.