Balanced Design Approach Research Articles

Field performance validation of the Louisiana balanced asphalt mix design framework

The balanced mix design (BMD) approach was implemented by agencies to complement the volumetric mix design method. The BMD approach addresses typical pavement distresses using mechanical tests. This study aimed to validate the Hamburg Wheel Track (HWT) rut depth and Semi Circular Bend (SCB) critical strain-energy release rate (Jc) thresholds specified in the Louisiana BMD framework. Seven field projects, including 13 pavement sections with 8–18 service years, were evaluated. Field distress data showed that the maximum HWT rut depth and minimum SCB Jc thresholds are effective parameters for assessing rutting and cracking performance, respectively.

Coupled effects of Crumb Rubber and zeolite on the performance of dense-graded asphalt mixture: a study using a balanced mix design approach

ABSTRACT This research aims to investigate the effect of different levels of Zeolite and Crumb Rubber (CR) on the durability and mechanical performance of dense-graded asphalt mixture to specify a suitable dosage of these additives. 2%, 4%, and 6% of Zeolite as a water-based warm mix additive and 8% and 16% CR were used. Indirect Tensile Strength (ITS), Semi-Circular Bending (SCB), and Hamburg Wheel Tracking (HWT) tests were respectively used to investigate the moisture damage, fracture and rutting resistance. Moreover, performance interaction diagrams are used to determine the appropriate percentage of the additives. The results showed that modified asphalt with Zeolite and CR have better resistance to rutting and cracking, and with the increase in the amount of these additives, this improvement has been more significant. However, CR diminished the resistance against moisture damage; Zeolite had a positive effect on moisture damage and it compensates for the weakness of modified dense-graded asphalt mixtures with CR. The performance interaction diagram of dense-graded asphalt mixtures has recommended the use of 4%, and 6% of zeolite with and without 8% of CR as the most ideal percentages of employing these additives, taking into account their correct performance against cracking, moisture damage, and rutting damage.

Performance Assessment of Waste Cooking Oil-Modified Asphalt Mixtures

This study aims to develop a framework to incorporate Waste Cooking Oil (WCO) into asphalt mixtures. Such a framework utilizes a Balanced Mix Design (BMD) approach to ensure adequate resistance to cracking and rutting. Transportation agencies can use the proposed framework to incorporate recycled materials such as used cooking oils and reclaimed asphalt pavements into asphalt mixtures, which promotes sustainability in asphalt pavement construction. This study evaluated the cracking and rutting performance of the control and modified asphalt mixtures with different WCO dosages (i.e., 2, 3, 4, 5, and 7% by the weight of the binder) using the Indirect Tensile Asphalt Cracking (IDEAL) and High-temperature Indirect Tensile (High-IDT) Rutting Assessment Tests, respectively. The results demonstrated that WCO improved the cracking resistance of the control balanced mixture but reduced its resistance to rutting. A statistically significant effect was observed at high WCO dosages. Furthermore, the interaction plot indicates that the overall performance of WCO-modified asphalt becomes softer and more flexible with the increase in WCO dosage. Thus, the designed balanced control mixture becomes unbalanced when using WCO oil at any dosage. This study proposed several approaches to design a more economically balanced WCO-modified balance asphalt mixture.

The Moderating Effect of Audit Committee Meetings on The Relationship Between Internal Auditors’ Attributes and Financial Sustainability

The study aimed to establish the moderating effect of audit committee meetings on the relationship between internal auditors’ attributes and financial sustainability of municipalities. The study used census balanced panel data design and survey approach. The primary data was collected through 621 structured questionnaires distributed to chief audit executives and board of directors and audit committee chairpersons in 207 out of the 260 municipalities. The secondary data was collected from the Auditor General’s report. The study used panel data comprising both cross section and time series. The study sampled observations for a five-year period (from 2016 to 2020) with 1035 observations for 207 municipalities. Data collected were analysed using partial least square-structural equation modelling. The findings indicated that audit committee meetings, internal auditor independence, internal audit size with the exception of internal auditor competence, have direct significant influence on financial sustainability. However, audit committee meetings failed to significantly moderate the relationship between internal auditors’ attributes and financial sustainability.

Assessing permanent deformation potential of asphalt mixtures based on viscoelastic characteristics

ABSTRACT In this study, permanent deformation potential of different asphalt mixtures subjected to the same aging condition was assessed, based on viscoelastic characteristics from the dynamic modulus (DM) test. First it was shown that the HWTT and RLPD test results were not well correlated, which might be due to the differences in the boundary condition and the impacts of moisture damage and stripping in the HWTT. The analysis results suggested that the shape parameter (γ) of the DM master-curves could be utilized to assess the rutting resistance potential of the asphalt mixtures from the RLPD test, compared to other rheological parameters such as the inflection point frequency and β. The |E*| at the RLPD test condition was well correlated to the rutting performance compared to the asphalt mixture’s rutting parameter |E*|/sinδ and the |E*| at the inflection point frequency. A novel rutting parameter (VERIndex) was developed to assess the rutting resistance potential of the asphalt mixtures, which simultaneously accounts for the |E*| and slope of the DM master-curves. Thereafter, the cracking and rutting performance thresholds were proposed, and, correspondingly used in the performance space diagram to aid with implementing the balanced mix design approach using the viscoelastic characteristics of asphalt mixtures.

Optimization of CLS Content of Asphalt Mixtures Based on Balanced Mix Design Approach

Over the years, there have been many studies on the performance improvement of asphalt mixtures using different materials and additives, especially those of the recycled variety, because of the environmental benefits they bring to the design. This study investigated the properties of asphalt mixtures made with different amounts of calcium lignosulfonate (CLS), which is a waste product, and used the Balanced Mix Design (BMD) approach to determine the appropriate mix design for CLS-containing mixtures. In this process, the results of the dynamic creep test were used as a measure of rutting resistance, the results of the indirect tensile test were used as a measure of moisture susceptibility, and the results of the Illinois Flexibility Index Test (IFIT) and Indirect Tensile Cracking Test (IDEAL-CT) were used independently as a measure of cracking resistance. On the other hand, since previous studies have suggested that CLS has antiaging properties, the specimens were made and tested in two groups: those with long-term aging and without long-term aging. So the objective was to determine the amount of CLS that should ideally be used as a bitumen additive in aged and unaged asphalt mixtures. The results showed that using 15% or 20% CLS will always yield acceptable outcomes in terms of BMD criteria for both aged and unaged conditions. However, a CLS content of 10% may also be acceptable for both aged and unaged conditions if IDEAL-CT results are used as the measure of cracking resistance.

Blast enhanced façade design by means of an optimal balance between security and sustainability

The major objective of this paper is to show that glazed curtain wall has a surprising potential for blast enhancement. However, often this potential is partially lost because of inaccurate and only presumed safe side approach. Indeed, in curtain wall it is much important to assess properly the beneficial effect of the deformable supports, framing and possibly brackets, on the glazing response under blast wave effects. Only in this way a true balanced design approach can be carried out and the protective requirement can be integrated into the façade design by preserving the architectural requirements, comfort, classical energy efficiency requirements and novel demand for sustainability. On the other side the large variability of materials and component behaviour under nonlinear range and the uncertainties related to the blast threat recommend a flexible calculation tool, which must be coupled with a sensitivity analysis on the most relevant inputs. For this reason, a Multi Degree of Freedom approach shows several advantages with respect to the Explicit Dynamic Finite Element Analysis, considering also the large number of geometry, component design and blast load variations are existing in a typical application of the protection on a high rise building. The impact of the calculation method is demonstrated by means of a comparative exercise and by means of real case applications.

Performance of warm asphalt mixtures containing reclaimed asphalt pavement, an anti-stripping agent, and recycling agents: A study using a balanced mix design approach

This research aims to use a balanced mix design (BMD) approach to investigate the effect of recycling agents (RAs) and an anti-stripping agent on the mechanical properties of warm-mix asphalt (WMA) containing different levels of reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP). The BMD used three RAs (aromatic extract, triglycerides and fatty acids, and tall oil), an amidoamine WMA additive (PAWMA®), and an anti-stripping agent (Zycotherm®). The Dynamic Creep (DC), Indirect Tensile Strength (ITS), and Semi-Circular Bending (SCB) fracture tests were respectively used to evaluate the rutting, moisture susceptibility, and cracking resistance of mixtures. In addition, two-dimensional and three-dimensional (2-D and 3-D) performance interaction diagrams were developed as typical approaches for the BMD of asphalt mixtures. For mixtures with RAP, the results indicated that the aromatic extract and tall oil RAs decreased the moisture susceptibility, while triglycerides and fatty acids increased the moisture susceptibility. In addition, the RAs generally decreased the rutting resistance of mixtures while they increased the cracking resistance. This effect was more noticeable in the mixtures treated with triglycerides and fatty acids. The results also showed that introducing PAWMA® and Zycotherm® to the mixtures improved their resistance to moisture damage, cracking, and rutting.

Application of Balanced Mix Design Strategies to Missouri Dense-Graded Asphalt Mixtures

This study focused on the improvement or redesign of dense-graded mixtures in Missouri by applying various strategies typified by a balanced mix design (BMD) approach. Briefly, the BMD approach involves designing mixtures using appropriate thresholds of mixture performance tests to control major distresses. In this study, two existing dense-graded mixtures from Missouri were adopted with 33% binder replacement by recycled asphalt pavement (RAP). Appropriate thresholds from three commonly used cracking tests, namely the disk-shaped compact tension test, or DC(T), the Illinois Flexibility Index Test (I-FIT), and the indirect tensile asphalt cracking test (IDEAL-CT), were paired with the Hamburg wheel track test (HWTT) toward the improvement or rebalancing of mixes designed before the availability or specified use of these tests. Preliminary test results showed that the existing mix designs did not satisfy the cracking thresholds adopted in this study, and thus the following modifications were made to the mixtures: (a) replacing the base binder with a softer grade binder, (b) adding a rejuvenator, and (c) adding ground tire rubber (either 10% or 20% by weight of base binder). According to the results, modification with rubber and softer binder was the most efficient strategy for improving and balancing DC(T) fracture energy and HWTT performance. On the other hand, the use of a softer binder or rejuvenator led to the best success in meeting semicircular bend (SCB) (I-FIT) and IDEAL-CT test requirements in balance with HWTT requirements.

Balanced Mix Design and Benchmarking: A Case Study in Establishing Performance Test Thresholds

A balanced mix design (BMD) approach for asphalt mixtures incorporates laboratory performance tests into the mix design acceptance process. However, test selection and subsequent performance thresholds must be selected, which is no easy endeavor when considering the number of promising tests and the variation in asphalt mix designs and components between states or regions. While the Virginia Department of Transportation’s (VDOT) BMD specification has been circulated for multiple years now, this article presents the approach taken by VDOT to investigate the various tests, considerations taken in selecting tests, and the establishment of performance thresholds. Data and discussion of six different performance tests encompassing durability, rutting, and cracking for 11 common Virginia mixes are presented. The performance threshold selection process is outlined. Further considerations in the final test selection process are discussed. In conclusion, the initial draft specification for BMD is provided.

Performance of Asphalt Mixes Containing Postconsumer Recycled Plastic using Balanced Mix Design Approach and Dry Process

In recent years, use of postconsumer recycled (PCR) plastics in asphalt mixes has been gaining popularity owing to increased environmental awareness, and the need to promote sustainability and conserve natural resources. When using the dry process, incorporation of PCR plastic in asphalt mixes poses several challenges, including mixing, sample preparation, and testing. Use of balanced mix design (BMD) for asphalt mixes containing PCR plastic poses additional challenges that have not been adequately covered in previous studies. To this end, changes in the volumetric properties and performance of PCR plastic-modified asphalt mixes were investigated in this study. For this purpose, an asphalt mix having a nominal maximum aggregate size (NMAS) of 9.5 mm and PG 64-22 binder was designed using the BMD approach. Three different percentages (0.25%, 0.5%, and 1% by weight of aggregate) and two different PCR plastics, namely low-density polyethylene (LDPE) and linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE) were incorporated in the mix using the dry process. Volumetric properties, namely maximum theoretical specific gravity, bulk specific gravity, voids in mineral aggregate, voids filled with asphalt, air void contents, and densities were determined for both control- (0% plastic) and modified mixes. Also, indirect tensile strength, indirect tensile asphalt cracking test, and Hamburg Wheel Tracking tests were performed to assess the performance of these mixes. A comparison of performance for both plastic type and amount and issues related to the incorporation of PCR plastic using the dry process are discussed in this paper.

Effect of Aramid Fibers on Balanced Mix Design of Asphalt Concrete

Fiber-reinforced asphalt concrete (FRAC) was tested using limestone, PG 64-22 binder, and 20% reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP). After mixing fibers with different lengths and dosages, they were extracted and recovered to evaluate their dispersion in the FRAC. The uniaxial fatigue test, IDEAL CT test, and flow number test were performed on FRAC with different fiber lengths and asphalt contents. The balanced mix design (BMD) approach was then used to analyze the uniaxial and flow number test results in order to evaluate the effect of aramid fibers on fatigue and rutting resistance of the pavement. The dispersion test showed that the 19 mm and 10 mm aramid fibers at a dosage rate of 0.5 g/kg provided the best dispersion. The 19 mm fibers showed better performance test results than the 10 mm and 38 mm fibers. The BMD approach provided ranges of asphalt contents to produce mixes with certain resistances to fatigue and rutting. The BMD approach also demonstrated the effect of fibers with different lengths on increasing the resistance to fatigue and rutting. The study concluded that the 19 mm fibers with a dosage of 0.5 g/kg produce best results. The BMD approach is a good tool that can be used to refine the mix ingredients, including additives such as fibers, in order to optimize pavement resistance to various distresses such as fatigue cracking and rutting.

Performance of Hot and Cold Recycled Mixtures with High Reclaimed Asphalt Pavement Content

Florida Department of Transportation yearly maintenance and rehabilitation activities include milling and resurfacing of approximately 2,000 lane miles of roadway, with an average resurfacing depth of about 2.1 in. (55 mm). These activities result in the generation and accumulation of roughly 1.8 million tons of reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP) each year. The use of elevated quantities of RAP in asphalt pavement provides an environmentally responsible solution to the accumulated RAP surplus in some urban areas, while at the same time offering an economical pavement maintenance and rehabilitation option to local agencies facing budget constraints. The objective of this project was to compare the performance of mixtures with 60% RAP content to be used primarily on low volume roads (average daily traffic <750 vehicles) and suggest adequate test methods within the context of a balanced mix design approach. To accomplish this objective, three types of mixtures were considered: hot, cold with emulsion, and cold with foamed binder. Performance testing included intermediate temperature cracking, rutting, moisture susceptibility, and durability. The hot recycled mixtures showed good moisture susceptibility and cracking resistance, especially when rejuvenators were incorporated. The cold recycled mixtures showed poor moisture susceptibility and durability characteristics, which were alleviated when hydrated lime or Portland cement was incorporated in the emulsified and foamed mixtures, respectively. Most hot recycled mixtures, and all the cold recycled mixtures, exhibited poor rutting behavior, likely because of the harsh conditions of the test. A life-cycle cost analysis demonstrated more favorable savings when cold recycled mixtures were used.

Efficiency balanced designs for bootstrap simulations

This paper considers the balanced resampling design approach of generating bootstrap samples to handle the simulation error problem in bootstrap estimation of mean and variance of a sample statistic of interest. A class of balanced n-arry block design, slightly different from the definition of Tocher (1952), is defined and its necessary conditions for the existence of these designs are derived. In particular, an infinite series of balanced n-arry block designs are found to be efficiency balanced, i.e., every contrast of element (observation) totals has the same loss of information. As an application in bootstrap method, the eccentric class of efficiency balanced n-arry block design (termed Efficient Bootstrap Sample Design (EBSD(n)) can be used to generate resamples of sample size n to achieve an exact bootstrap estimation of mean and variance of statistic “sample average”, i.e., a collection of bootstrap data samples and corresponding bootstrap sample averages where mean and variance of this empirical collection of sample averages match the first two theoretical central moments i.e., moments about the sample average. The EBSD(n) solely depends on the existence of balanced incomplete block design B[ 4n-2, 2n-1, n, n-1] for n ≥ 2. Thus the implementation of computer algorithm for spawning bootstrap samples using EBSD(n) is simple and straightforward for recapitulating sampling characteristics such as standard error of predefined computable symmetric and non symmetric sample statistic of interest.

A Balanced Mix Design Method for Selecting the Optimum Binder Content of Cold In-Place Recycling Asphalt Mixtures

The objective of this paper is to present a procedure for designing cold in-place recycling (CIR) mixtures through balancing rutting and cracking for these mixtures. Four CIR mixtures were prepared using two recycling agents (foamed and emulsified asphalts), and compacted at two gyration levels (30 and 70 gyrations). The CIR mixtures were prepared at a constant water content of 3% and a constant cement content of 1% while curing of the compacted samples was conducted by placing them in an oven for three days at 140°F (dry curing). The CoreLok device was used for measuring air voids in compacted samples. The rutting susceptibility of these mixtures was then evaluated using the asphalt pavement analyzer (APA) and dynamic complex modulus (|E*|) while resistance to cracking was assessed using the indirect tensile strength (ITS) test and fracture energy as determined using the semi-circular bend (SCB-FE) test. A demonstration of how these tests were utilized to select a performance balanced optimum binder content for each of the four CIR mixes was also presented. The developed balanced mix design approach was used successfully for designing four CIR mixtures and selecting the optimum binder content for each mix. The results also showed that using a higher compaction level leads to increasing both foamed and emulsified asphalt CIR mixtures’ ability to resist rutting. In terms of cracking, SCB-FE results showed that foamed asphalt mixtures were better at resisting cracking than emulsified asphalt CIR mixtures.

Influence of Production Considerations on Balanced Mixture Designs

Measuring or predicting mixture performance prior to placement has become essential for many state transportation agencies due to incorporation of more recycled materials into mixtures, utilization of binders formulated with various modifiers, and utilization of new and unproven technologies. Mixtures designed incorporating these elements in accordance with the current Superpave mixture design method have unknown performance as Superpave was never designed to compensate for them. Thus, agencies have interest in implementing the balanced mixture concept that requires testing for acceptable mixture performance during the design phase. The effect of production considerations on a balanced mixture design is not known. It is unknown if a mixture remains performance balanced during production due to factors like asphalt content, gradation and binder source variations. This study was undertaken to understand the influence of these production considerations on a balanced mixture design. Two Superpave mixtures, a 9.5 mm and 12.5 mm, were developed using the balanced mixture design approach using volumetric properties, one rutting test and one cracking test. These mixtures were then modified to represent production variations in asphalt binder content, gradation passing the No. 200 sieve, and asphalt binder source. All mixtures remained performance balanced when examining the production considerations in terms of rutting and cracking using the selected tests. Examination of other performance results, like moisture susceptibility, suggest it is possible to effectively unbalance the mixture design during production. This underscores the importance of proper selection of performance tests to address the performance needs of the agency.

Numerical and experimental investigations on inelastic cyclic performance of mid‐span gusset plate connections

SummaryThe design and detailing of gusset plate connections greatly influence the seismic performance of a special concentrically braced frame (SCBF). Recently, a balanced design approach has been proposed in order to develop significant inelastic deformation from multiple yield mechanisms and to delay the failure of connections of SCBF system. Although extensive studies have been conducted on the corner gusset plate connections of SCBFs, research on the detailing of mid‐span beam gusset plates is rather limited. This study aims at investigating the required free length for the detailing of the mid‐span gusset plates with different brace slenderness ratios. A nonlinear finite element analysis has been conducted for a braced frame with 4 different values of linear clearance in the mid‐span gusset plates and 2 values of brace slenderness ratios. In all simulation models, the corner gusset plates have been designed using balanced design approach and detailed using an elliptical clearance of 8 times the gusset plate thickness. An experimental study has also been conducted on 2 gusset plate sub‐assemblages having similar brace slenderness ratio but with 2 different values of linear clearance in the middle gusset plates. The lateral drift capacity corresponding to the brace fracture and the level of damage are found to be dependent on the detailing of the gusset plates. Based on the results of numerical and experimental studies, the required free length has been recommended for the detailing of middle gusset plates of SCBFs of different brace slenderness ratios.

Shake Table Testing of Concentrically Braced Steel Structures With Realistic Connection Details Subjected to Earthquakes

This paper describes an experimental investigation into the seismic response of concentrically braced steel frames (CBFs). Twelve shake table tests were performed on full-scale single storey frames, each containing a pair of identical brace members. The experimental programme examined the behaviour of brace members with four different square and rectangular hollow cross-sections and a range of gusset plate connection details. The aim of the experimental study was to determine the influence of brace and gusset plate properties on CBF response from serviceability to ultimate limit states, including collapse. Consequently, all test frames were subjected to three levels of seismic excitation: (i) low-level excitation to examine elastic frame response, (ii) medium-level excitation to examine brace buckling and yielding effects, and (iii) high-level excitation to induce brace fracture. A detailed set of data on the seismic response of CBFs with realistic brace members and connections were obtained from the tests. The experiments were conducted under representative dynamic response conditions as opposed to the conventional idealised quasi-static loading procedures employed in previous experimental investigations of CBF behaviour. The results faithfully capture the behaviour of brace-gusset plate test specimens with different non-dimensional brace slenderness, brace cross-section slenderness, connection types and gusset plate detailing. The response variables measured in each test included the shaking table and frame accelerations and displacements, brace elongation and axial force, and brace member and gusset plate strains. The experimental observations include elastic frame vibration properties, acceleration and drift demands, ultimate failure modes and ductility capacity. The brace-gusset plate test specimens remained elastic at low-level excitations, brace buckling and yielding occurred in all medium-level excitation tests, while specimens exhibited brace fracture under high-level excitation. Fracture did not occur in the gusset plate connections irrespective of whether these were designed using a conventional design method with a Standard Linear Clearance (SLC), or a balanced design with an Elliptical Clearance (EC). However, the balanced design approach showed more uniform distribution of plastic strains and led to higher brace ductility capacities when compared to the conventional design method. Based on the test results, available methods for predicting the ductility of bracing members are compared and assessed, and a number of considerations for design are highlighted and discussed.

Shake table assessment of gusset plate connection behaviour in concentrically braced frames

Diagonal bracing members and their connections to beams and columns are the key lateral resisting components in concentrically braced frames (CBFs). Although gusset plate connections are widely used to connect bracing and frame members in such systems, their design often involves significant simplifications and idealisations due to the complexity of their behaviour under seismic loading. A conventional approach, which utilises a standard linear clearance zone that permits out-of-plane brace deformation, is typically used in the design of gusset plates. This approach can result in overly large connections with cumbersome details. The desire to achieve an improved balance between the gusset over-strength, on the one hand, and a favourable overall frame performance coupled with practical connection detailing, on the other, has prompted proposals for an improved design approach. However, before new recommendations on the design of gusset plate connections can be provided for use in codified guidance, there is a need to assess the performance of such detailing alternatives under realistic earthquake loading conditions. Accordingly, in this study, the performance of different brace connection configurations and gusset plate designs are examined using shake table testing. The paper describes twelve single-storey full scale shake table tests, which were performed on the AZALEE seismic testing facility at CEA Saclay. In seven of these tests, the gusset plates at the end of the brace members were connected to both beam and column flanges, while in the other five tests these were connected to the beam flange only. Conventional gusset plate design with a standard linear clearance was used for six tests, whereas a more balanced design with a nonlinear elliptical clearance detail was used for the others. The experimental set-up, specimen details, and loading procedures are presented, together with a detailed account of the results and observations. The main findings and their implication on the performance at the local component, as well as the overall frame levels, are highlighted. In particular, it is shown that, provided a number of recommendations are followed, the balanced design approach using a nonlinear clearance can enhance the overall drift capacity, while maintaining control of the failure mode within the bracing member.

Vidyanusa Mathematic Learning Systems Based on Digital Game by Balanced Design Approach

Educational games offer an opportunity to engage and inspire students to take an interest in every subject material in school. The fun obtain when playing games become a trigger for the use of games in learning. However, there are doubts whether the players actually learn while they are having fun. Vidyanusa is an Online Mathematics Education Game being developed by Crayonpedia Education Ecosystem in Indonesia. The learning goal of Vidyanusa is to engage junior high school students in learning mathematics. In this paper, we design the Vidyanusa game material Functions and Relations by using Balanced Design Approach. This approach has three models in succession; the Content Model outlines the purpose of the game, the Task Model maps out the mission, and the Evidence Model outlines student measurement. This paper will then discusses the quality of games produced in term of Usability factor for effective results and objective. The measurement of the game was carried out based on International Standard ISO/IEC 9126-1 FDIS about Software Quality Product.