Abstract
In this study, stone mastic asphalt (SMA-13) mixtures were designed using three methods, namely the vertical-vibration testing method (VVTM), Marshall method, and superpave gyratory compactor method (SGC). The performances of SMA-13 designed by all three methods were measured and compared. Results show that the optimal asphalt content of the asphalt mixture was 5% lower in the VVTM-designed SMA-13 than in the Marshall-designed and SGC-designed asphalts mixture. In comparison with the Marshall- and SGC-designed asphalts mixture, the VVTM-designed SMA-13 exhibited higher density (2.4% and 2.2% increase, respectively), mechanical properties (32% and 13% increase, respectively), high-temperature rut resistance (30% and 8% increase, respectively), low-temperature crack resistance (20% and 17% increase, respectively), water stability (4% and 3% increase, respectively), and fatigue life (at least 33% and 9% increase, respectively). The VVTM-designed SMA-13 exhibited a deeper short-term aging degree than the other SMA-13 specimens, but a smaller long-term aging degree. In summary, the SMA-13 mixture designed by the VVTM method delivered a better road performance and durability than the traditional design method, enabling improved designs of SMA mixtures.
Highlights
Stone mastic asphalt (SMA) is widely used in pavement engineering owing to its good road performance [1,2]; with an increase in traffic, vehicle load, and occurrence of extreme weather events has increased the number of cracks, ruts, oil flooding and water seepages ontoSMA pavements [3]
Because the vertical-vibration testing method (VVTM) compaction standard is higher, the optimal amount of asphalt can be reduced, with the result that the density of the mixture increases it can be seen from Table 11 of the manuscript that compared with the Marshall method, the density of the SMA-1 mixture designed by VVTM is increased by about 2%, which is verified by the references [31]
The mechanical properties, road performances, anti-aging performances and fatigue performances of SMAs designed by the Marshall method, the superpave gyratory compaction (SGC) method, and VVTM were analyzed in a comparative study
Summary
Stone mastic asphalt (SMA) is widely used in pavement engineering owing to its good road performance [1,2]; with an increase in traffic, vehicle load, and occurrence of extreme weather events has increased the number of cracks, ruts, oil flooding and water seepages onto. Wang et al [10] compared the road performances of SMA mixtures designed by the Marshall and SGC methods Their studies found that SGC is widely used worldwide [11,12]. Jiang [14,15] studied the applicability of the VVTM to AC-13 mixtures, proposed suitable vibration parameters and selection standards for asphalt-mixture molding, and compared the mechanical strengths of the vibration specimen and the design pavement core samples. The present study compares the volume parameters, mechanical properties, road performances, and fatigue performances of SMA-13 mixtures designed by the Marshall, SGC, and VVTM approaches, and verifies the superiority of VVTM in the design of SMA mixtures It compares and chooses a design method that improves the road performance and durability of SMA pavements exposed to modern traffic conditions
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