Permanent deformation response parameters of asphalt mixtures for a new mix-confined repeated load test

Abstract

The main objective of this work is to propose new mixture response parameters and to compare correlations with rut depths and sensitivity of permanent deformation response parameters based on field extracted cores and lab-mixed duplicates. A new “mix-confined” test is developed and four new parameters for this test are proposed. Correlation coefficients with rut depths and coefficients of variation (sensitivity) are compared between the four new and two existing parameters. Some parameters are recommended to be used for the newly developed test. The results show that, newly developed test can capture the changes of permanent deformation of asphalt mixtures. Only one new parameter (D1 of Stephen Price model) and one existing parameter (flow number, Fn) have strong correlations with rut depths of asphalt pavements (R2 greater than 0.7) and have relative small sensitivity (coefficient of variation, COV, less than 30%). For polymer modified asphalt mixtures, the parameter D1 rather than Fn should be used. These findings can be used to check the permanent deformation of asphalt mixture during the mix design.