FY 2012 Research Problem Statement

ODOT Research Section 200 Hawthorne Ave. SE Suite B-240 Salem OR 97301-5192 Phone (503) 986-2700 Fax (503) 986-2844

I. TITLE 12-048 Develop a Performance Based Aggregate Gradation Design Method for Oregon State II. PROBLEM
For dense-graded asphalt concrete mixtures, around 85 percent of the volume is made up of aggregates. The aggregate structure and characteristics, particularly aggregate gradation, shape (angularity), and coarse aggregate surface texture, have been found to have great impact on the strength, stability, rutting resistance, and fatigue performance of an asphalt mixture. Although important, there is relatively less research in this area; especially lack of study on identifying a clear relationship between aggregate properties (gradation and morphology properties) and performance. Current Superpave mix design relies on a trial-and-error method to design aggregate blends conforming Superpave control points requirements. This approach is time consuming and will sometimes produce mixtures that may not perform well in the field. Oregon State uses a similar approach of gradation analysis that is following the 0.45 power maximum density line but with some deviations to allow adequate Voids in Mineral Aggregate (VMA) [Thompson 2006]. Even the volumetric properties are all satisfied, the designers are not sure the quality of the mix in the field. Some recent researches have tried to improve the gradation design and enhance understanding about aggregate component. For example, the Baileys Method [Vavrick et al. 2002] analyzes the aggregate gradation based on packing characteristics of aggregates; the Power Law Method [Ruth 2000] describes a gradation curve based on a power regression equation; and the NCHRP 9-33 new Superpave Mix Design manual suggests adjusting gradations using a continuous density line which describes the percent of deviation from the maximum density line. However, all these methods cannot link the gradation to mix performance and still rely on a trial-and-error process. In a study done for Oregon asphalt mixtures, Thompson [2006] reported the use of Baileys method may lead to extremely fine mixes not common in Oregon. This study also suggested besides the several sieve sizes recommended by Baileys method, more sizes should be included for the gradation evaluation. Therefore, in order to improve the quality of the mixtures, enhance the pavement resistance to premature failure, and improve the pavement durability and sustainability for Oregon State, it is necessary to develop a more rationalized gradation design method which can provide a linkage between the gradation properties and mechanical performance. The designer should be able to use this tool to design high quality mixes with more efficiency.

III. PROPOSED RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT, OR TECHNICAL TRANSFER ACTIVITY

The proposed study aims to develop a systematic but practical tool for ODOT to select and optimize the aggregate gradations for dense-graded asphalt mixtures, to reach expected field performance. The design tool will target to develop gradations that have good compactibility, rutting resistance, dynamic modulus (stress-strain relationship), and cracking resistance, all of which are greatly affected by the packing and interlocking characteristics of an aggregate skeleton. Similar concept can be used to develop gradation design guidelines for gap-graded or other types of mixes. The proposed research will be a work combining theoretical packing theory analysis, experimental testing to generate and validate the relationship between gradation, volumetric properties, and mechanical performance, an imageaided discrete element modeling (DEM) to simulate various contact models and validate gradation parameters, and field data validation. This research approach is considered reasonable and very promising based on the findings from the PIs current project, Design Choice of Aggregate Gradation for Hot Mix Asphalt Mixtures. Specifically, this study can be conducted in four steps: 1. Develop a direct linkage between gradation and volumetric properties (VMA) for Oregon mixes based on packing theories and DEM simulations. This provides a simple way to estimate volumetric properties of mix without the need of running volumetric testing, which can also be used for optimizing gradations. 2. Develop correlations between volumetric properties and mechanical performance (compactibility, rut resistance, dynamic modulus, and fatigue resistance) based on performance models and DEM simulation. 3. Identify the effect of aggregate gradation and morphological properties (shape and angularity) on performance. A gradation design tool will be developed for assisting on adjusting gradations to achieve target performance.

4. Evaluate and validate the effectiveness of the developed design tool according to existing Oregon mixtures and their field performance.

IV. POTENTIAL BENEFITS

The expected benefits and impact to ODOT could be in the following: 1. This study will help ODOT to design better performing asphalt mixtures. The practical tools proposed will improve the efficiency of developing aggregate blending that not only satisfies the volumetric properties, but also can lead to expected field performance (compactibility, rutting resistance, dynamic modulus, and cracking resistance). This is especially useful when new type of mixtures for example, high-RAP, mixtures using recycled concrete, and new aggregate types, are to be used. 2. This study will help ODOT to evaluate existing asphalt mixtures in the pavement and identify the causes of pavement premature failure from the materials point of view. It is hypothesized inappropriate aggregate structures and packing may have problems such as hard to compact, low stability and durability, therefore, lead to premature failure of pavements. 3. This study will help determine and optimize asphalt content at the early stage of the mix design to save cost. By adjusting aggregate gradations using the developed tools and methods, the designer will be able to reasonably reduce the amount of asphalt required while still maintain satisfactory performance in the field. 4. Ultimately, this study will benefit ODOT by improving the quality of the asphalt pavements, extend pavement service life, making the pavement mix design more rational, and result in cost and energy savings by improving the durability and reliability of pavement structures. Consequently, the pavement becomes more sustainable.

V. IMPLEMENTATION
This study will produce a detailed guidelines of aggregate gradation design and an easy-to-use excel spreadsheet design tool that material engineers at ODOT or other mix designers in Oregon State can use. The methodology used in this study can also be disseminated to other states as long as it is calibrated based on their local materials.

VI. LIST OF REFERENCES (optional)

Existing researches and references related to the aggregate gradation design mainly include four approaches: 1. Baileys method. There are a number of references in this area. This reference is one of the important ones.
Vavrik, W. R., Huber, G., Pine, W. J., Carpenter, S. H., and Bailey, R. (2002). "Bailey Method for Gradation Selection in Hot-Mix Asphalt Mixture Design." Transportation Research E-Circular, Report No: E-C044. Ruth, B. E. (2000), Development of Tentative Guidelines for the Selection of Aggregate Gradations for Hot-Mix Asphalt. Proceedings, Association of Asphalt Paving Technologists. Donald Christensen, et al. A Mix Design Manual for Hot-Mix Asphalt, NCHRP 9-33 Report, 2009. Shen, S. and H. Yu (in press). Analysis of Aggregate Gradation and Packing for Easy Estimation of HMA Voids in Mineral Aggregate. ASCE Journal of Materials in Civil Engineering. Shen, S, Yu H. (2010). Characterize packing of aggregate particles for paving materials: Particle size impact. Journal of Construction and Build Materials. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2010.09.008 Yu, H. and S. Shen (2011). Simulation of Simple Performance Test of Hot Mix Asphalt Mixture Using Three Dimensional Discrete Element Method. The 89th Transportation Research Board (TRB) Annual Meeting, DVD Compendium, January 23-27, 2011.
Person Responsible for Implementation: Affiliation: Telephone: Email:

2. Power Law method. 3. NCHRP 9-33 project report guideline 4. Our ongoing research on aggregate packing characteristics

VII. CONTACT INFORMATION

Your name: ____Shihui Shen____ Affiliation: Washington State University Telephone: 509-3357455 Email: sshen2@wsu.edu