Abstract
This New Zealand laboratory study and field trial forms part of a larger collaborative research programme conducted under the auspices of the OECD/ECMT (European Conference of Ministers of Transport) Joint Transport Research Centre, focused on the economic evaluation of long-life pavements. The aim of the research was to investigate the potential of epoxy-modified asphalt as a low-maintenance long-life (>30 years) low noise surfacing material. The New Zealand Transport Agency's contribution to the research focused on the potential benefits of epoxy-modified open-graded porous asphalt (OGPA). Investigations into the cohesive properties and oxidation resistance of an acid-cured, epoxy-modified OGPA were undertaken, and an associated field trial constructed on State Highway 1 in Christchurch in December 2007. Results from the Cantabro Test at 10° C indicated that the cohesive properties of the oxidised epoxy OGPA were markedly superior to those of conventional OGPA. On the basis of the Cantabro test results, lifetimes of up 144 years were estimated for an increase in cost of up to 2.3 times that of conventional OGPA. Similarly, the fatigue life of oxidised epoxy OGPA was found to be more than 25 times that of the control. Experiments were also conducted with epoxy modified bitumen diluted with up to 75% standard 80–100 penetration grade bitumen, as a possible means of reducing costs. OGPA made with the 75% diluted material had an estimated life of up to 93 years for 1.3 times the cost of conventional OGPA. The fatigue lives of the oxidised diluted OGPA mixes were similar to that of the control. An initial CAPTIF trial and a later field trial demonstrated that full-scale manufacture and surfacing construction with epoxy OGPA, could be easily undertaken without any significant modification to plant or operating procedures. A road trial to evaluate (undiluted) epoxy OGPA sections with 20% and 30% air voids was constructed and initial noise monitoring using the statistical pass by method has produced good results. The trial has been in place for almost 4 years and is performing well.
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