01518451

Component

https://doi.org/10.3141/2457-07

The objective of this research was to investigate the variability of base layer construction in hot-mix asphalt (HMA) pavements and to assess the impact of base layer variability or nonuniformity on pavement performance. Subjective acceptance criteria of base layer construction may lead to variable pavement performance and may result in early pavement distresses and failure. Eleven existing HMA pavement projects with aggregate base course layers constructed in the past few years were selected for falling weight deflectometer (FWD) testing and visual distress surveys. In six of these projects, issues with aggregate base performance (stability and uniformity) had been observed and reported during paving of the HMA surface layer. Later, these pavements exhibited various levels of early distresses, including cracking (longitudinal, transverse, and alligator), aggregate base failure, and pavement surface roughness or irregularities (for ride quality). The remaining five HMA pavement projects, for which no issues related to aggregate base layer behavior were reported during construction, performed well after construction. A test section of approximately 1 mi on each project was subjected to FWD testing. The existing HMA pavements that showed early distresses exhibited high levels of spatial variability and nonuniformity in aggregate base course layers, as demonstrated by FWD testing and backcalculated base layer modulus values and distributions. The existing HMA pavements that performed well exhibited low levels of spatial variability and good uniformity in aggregate base course layers, as shown by the FWD test results and the backcalculated base layer modulus values and distributions.

01551907

14-4404

English

pp 58–71

2014

Transportation Research Record: Journal of the Transportation Research Board

9780309295444

Print

Figures (12) ; Maps; Photos; References (3) ; Tables (2)

Asphalt pavements; Base course (Pavements); Condition surveys; Falling weight deflectometers; Pavement distress; Pavement performance

Variability

Design; Highways; Pavements; I22: Design of Pavements, Railways and Guideways; I23: Properties of Road Surfaces

PRP, TRIS, TRB, ATRI

Jan 27 2014 3:31PM

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• Surface Drainage Evaluation for Rigid Pavements Using an Inertial Measurement Unit and 1-mm Three-Dimensional Texture Data