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ASPHALT 17 SUMMER 2000 16 ASPHALT SUMMER 2000

Although the restricted


zone was initially
intended as a guide,it
became more of a for-
bidden zone when
adopted by the vari-
ous state agencies.
By avoiding the
restricted zone,mix
designers are often
more successful in
achieving adequate
VMA. While it is possi-
ble to achieve an
appropriate level of
VMA with a mix that
crosses the restricted
zone,VMA specs are
more readily achieved by avoiding it.
It should be noted that mixes with
gradations going above the restricted
zone tend to be sandier than those
with gradations below the zone.
Current Issues
Although the Superpave system has
gained widespread support,there con-
tinues to be discussion and research of
a few issues. There is a desire among
some user agencies for more stringent
guidelines on flat,elongated particles.
Specifically,some specifying agencies
want to change the requirement from
a 5:1 to 3:1 length-to-width ratio.
Accompanying this change would be a
change in the maximum criterion from
10 to 20 percent. Thus,the specifica-
tion would require a maximum of 20
percent,3:1 ratio for coarse aggregate
larger than 4.75 mm. Many in the
aggregate industry are opposed to the
change,claiming that it is unnecessary
and would greatly increase the cost
of production. There is currently
little data to support the change,
but the industry continues to gather
information.
A second issue now under discus-
sion is the fine aggregate angularity
specification. Some believe that the
current minimum of 45 percent air
voids in loosely compacted fine aggre-
gateless than 2.36 mmis overly
conservative for higher traffic volumes.
Again,there are areas of the country
where obtaining fine aggregates that
meet this requirement is difficult.
Research continues in this area,but it
may be some time before a definite
answer is found.
Coarse aggregate angularity is also a
current topic of interest,not because
its importance is disputed,but because a
new test method is being implemented.
The SHRP researchers initially suggested
that user agencies use standard
Department of Transportation proce-
dures to measure the coarse aggregate
angularity equipment and similar
testing techniques.
Changes?
Without a doubt,the Superpave
aggregate specifications have caused
changes within the aggregate industry.
Those changes are varied,and they
depend on location of the aggregate
source. In addressing the issue of
Superpave aggregate specifications,the
question we must ask is: Have
Superpave aggregate specifications
improved HMA mixtures?The answer
the asphalt industry gives to that ques-
tions is: We believe they have. More
time is needed,however,before the
question will be answered in a defini-
tive manner.
It is possible to say that the
Superpave system is working and that
aggregates are a critical component of
that system. We need more research to
define and measure important aggre-
gate characteristics. With better tests
for aggregate selection,the aggregate
supplier,mix designer and project
owner,will all benefit. To properly
meet aggregate specifications,produc-
tion changes may also be needed. We
should always consider local condi-
tions and historical performance in the
selection process. If the entire asphalt
industry works together,the traveling
public will reap large rewards.L
Supe r pa ve
Aggre ga t e Spe c i f i c a t i ons
Supe r pa ve
Aggre ga t e Spe c i f i c a t i ons
Conti nued...
B
eginning with this issue, Asphalt
Through the Ages will appear in each
issue of Asphalt Magazine. This feature
will chronicle the history of the pro-
duction and use of asphalt through
the ages using historical Asphalt
Institute (AI) photographs and text.
The industry would like to thank the
AI members for supporting the effort
to archive and place on CD ROM the
thousands of historical asphalt indus-
try photos. The archival process is a
monumental task and will take some
time to complete. So far,we have
scanned and archived approximately
3,500 photos. Source Imaging
of Lexington,Kentucky,is doing
the work.
Ancient Building Material
Asphalt is one of the worlds oldest
building materials. Its first use was in
the building of the Tower of Babel.
Noah used asphalt in building and
sealing the Ark. Moses was saved from
death by a basket lined with asphalt.
Babylons King Nebuchadnezzar used
asphalt as a road building material
for processional roads leading
from his palace in honor of the
Babylonian gods
1
.
One of the first uses of asphalt in
U.S.road building was in 1872 in
New Yorks Union Square. Today we
use asphalt to improve our quality
of life. We use it as a liner for drink-
water reservoirs,for built-up roofing,
to cap landfills and to build highways.
Earliest AI Photos
The earliest AI photos are in 1901 from
a book given to the Institute by Juan
Forster,formerly of Huntway Refining.
The book is about the Globe Asphalt
Company and Obispo brand solid and
liquid asphalt. This solid rock asphalt
mine was located in Goleta,California,
with the mining works in Obispo,
California. Globe asphalt was used to
pave about 2 million square yards of
road.L
By Mike Sonnenberg, Asphalt Institute
Computer Systems Administrator
Asphalt Thr ough the Ages
Deposit Number 5 at the Goleta, California, mine.
The asphalt works in Obispo,
California, processed the
asphalt. October 15, 1902.
Humphrey Avenue in Oak Park,
Illinois, was paved with Obispo
asphalt in November 1901.
1. Bituminous Substances, Percy Edwin Spielmann, D. Van Nostrand Company, 1925. Chapter 1, pages 5-6.
Michigan Avenue in Chicago, Illinois, was paved
with Obispo asphalt.
We need more research to define and measure important aggregate characteristics.

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