Date of Graduation

8-2019

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science in Civil Engineering (MSCE)

Degree Level

Graduate

Department

Civil Engineering

Advisor/Mentor

Kevin D. Hall

Committee Member

Michelle L. Barry

Second Committee Member

Andrew F. Braham

Keywords

Asphalt, Balanced Mix Design, Pavement, Performance Mixture Design

Abstract

Cracking has become the primary asphalt pavement distress in Arkansas. Arkansas along with other states have implemented a test to measure rutting resistance. This paper presents research to implement a cracking resistance test to further modify the Superpave volumetric asphalt mixture design method in Arkansas. The Illinois Flexibility Index Test (I-FIT) was the test chosen to analyze for this research. Two aging methods were tested, a short term oven aging (AASHTO R30 ST) and a long term oven aging (NCAT) method. Six asphalt mixtures were selected to be tested. The mixtures testes were recreated from Arkansas Department of Transportation (ARDOT) projects that had been paved and distress surveys completed on. The mixtures fell into three categories, Poor, Fair, and Good cracking performance. After testing in the lab, the Flexibility Index (FI) values statistically grouped into three groups. The results showed that higher FI values had higher variability. Using the results from this research, recommendations are made to Arkansas on a minimum FI value to be used for acceptance and which aging protocol to use.

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