ASPHALT CONCRETE MIXTURES

Objectives:
To introduce asphalt concrete
To explain the asphalt concrete mixture
To explain the types of asphalt concrete mixtures
To explain the requirements of aggregates for
asphalt concrete
ASPHALT CONCRETE: Introduction

Asphalt concrete is basically a mixture of asphalt cement

and aggregates, hot-mixed in an asphalt plant and then
hot-laid to form the surface course of a flexible pavement

The properties of asphalt concrete depend on:

the quality of its components (i.e., asphalt binder and
aggregates)
the mix proportions
construction process

Asphalt concrete must provide a stable, safe, and durable

road surface
ASPHALT CONCRETE: Stability

Stability of the asphalt concrete depends on the strength and flexibility of the
mixture and the degree of compaction during placing

The strength must be sufficient to carry the load without shear occurring between
particles. The structure must remain intact.
The main contributor to strength is friction between grains.
A dense-graded mixture, composed of particles with rough faces, with a
relatively thin asphalt film between them is best for high-friction strength.

Flexibility is also important as the pavement distributes the imposed load by

deflecting slightly as the load is applied, without cracking or permanent
deformation.
To meet this requirement, a more open-graded mixture, with a higher
asphalt content, is best.

Strength and flexibility are evaluated by various tests, depending on the design
method being used
ASPHALT CONCRETE: Safety

Safety is very important for the surface course

Safety is achieved by making the surface course skid resistant

and able to allow quick drainage of water from the surface.

Skid resistance is enhanced by using smaller sized, very hard

aggregates for the surface course.
This provides more points of contact for the development of friction
forces.

Open-graded surface courses are used in very heavy traffic

areas to allow immediate drainage of rainwater before it can
result in hydroplaning.
ASPHALT CONCRETE: Durability

Durability of the asphalt concrete is critical to ensure that it

maintains the stability and skid resistance properties for the
design service life

Asphalt ages, and pavements become denser (i.e., aged)

with time and traffic

Pavements fail (i.e., durability of pavement is lost) due to:

changes in the aggregates
permanent deformation or rutting
cracking, either due to fatigue, or low temperatures
bleeding of asphalt to the surface
 ASPHALT CONCRETE MIXTURE

Asphalt concrete mixture

basically consists of asphalt
cement, aggregates, and air.
Out of the total asphalt added
to the mixture, some of the
asphalt is absorbed in the
pores of the aggregate
particles.
The portion of asphalt
absorbed by aggregate
particles is called absorbed
asphalt

The net amount of asphalt

available to coat and bind
aggregates together is called
effective asphalt
ASPHALT CONCRETE MIXTURE---contd.
The mass/volume relationships of a compacted asphalt mixture
are illustrated in the following figure:
Mass/volume relationships for an asphalt concrete mixture:
Density () = M/V
Asphalt content (PB) PB = MB / M
Effective asphalt content (PBE) PBE = MBE / M
Asphalt absorption (PBA) PBA = MBA / MG
Air voids (AV) AV = VA / V
Voids in mineral aggregate (VMA) VMA = (VBE + VA)/V
Voids filled with asphalt (VFA) VFA = VBE / (VBE + VA)

M Total mass (= MG + MB)

MG Mass of aggregate
MB Mass of asphalt (binder) (= MBE + MBA)
MBE Mass of effective asphalt, the asphalt binder between particles
MBA Mass of absorbed asphalt, absorbed into the pores of the aggregate
particles
V Total volume of the compacted mix
VG Volume of aggregate, the bulk volume including the aggregate
pores
VBE Volume of effective asphalt
VBA Volume of absorbed asphalt
VB Volume of asphalt (= VBE + VBA)
VA Volume of air between the coated aggregate particles in the mix
VGE Effective volume of aggregate (= VG VBA)
VMM Volume of voidless mix (maximum mix volume)
TYPES OF ASPHALT CONCRETE MIXTURES

Asphalt concrete mixtures can be classified into following two types based
on whether hot-mixed, hot laid or cold-mixed, cold-laid:
Hot-mixed, hot-laid asphalt (HMA) concrete mixture
Cold-mixed, cold-laid asphalt concrete mixture

Asphalt concrete mixtures can be classified into following two types based
on whether in-situ-mixed or plant-mixed:
Road-mixed or in place-mixed asphalt concrete mixture
Plant-mixed asphalt concrete mixture

HMA concrete mixtures can be classified into following three types based
on type of aggregate grading used:
Dense-graded HMA concrete mixture
Stone matrix asphalt (SMA) concrete mixture
Open-graded HMA concrete mixture

Asphalt concrete mixtures can be classified into following three types based
on type additives used:
Rubber-modified asphalt concrete mixture
Polymer-modified asphalt concrete mixture
Sulfur-modified asphalt concrete mixture
TYPES OF ASPHALT CONCRETE MIXTURES
Hot-mixed asphalt (HMA) concrete
A hot-mixed asphalt (HMA) concrete is a mixture of asphalt, fine
aggregate or both fine and coarse aggregates, and mineral filler
(optional)
The grade of asphalt to be used depends on:
the type of construction
climatic conditions
amount and nature of traffic
HMA concrete is produced and laid in the following steps:
both aggregate and asphalt are heated prior to mixing to drive off moisture
from the particles and make the asphalt sufficiently fluid (maximum
temperatures for heating asphalt cement and emulsified asphalt are 176.6 F
and 82.2 F, respectively)
after heating, all the raw materials are mixed in the plant, and the hot
mixture is transported to the paving site and spread on a loosely compacted
layer to a uniform, even surface with the help of a paving machine
while the mixture is hot it is compacted by heavy, motor-driven rollers to
produce a smooth, well-compacted paving course
Since the aggregates are thoroughly dried prior to mixing, stripping of
asphalt (i.e., removal from the pavement) will not take place in hot-
mixed, hot-laid asphalt pavements
TYPES OF ASPHALT CONCRETE MIXTURES
Cold-mixed asphalt concrete

Like a hot-mixed asphalt concrete, cold-mixed asphalt concrete

is also a mixture of asphalt, fine aggregate or both fine and
coarse aggregates, and mineral filler (optional)

Cold-mixed asphalt concrete is produced and laid at normal

temperature, however, some heating of both the aggregates
and asphalt may be required during winter season

Drying of aggregates is not necessary except when the particles

have surface moisture

To improve bonding, commercial additives are needed in this

type of asphalt concrete
TYPES OF ASPHALT CONCRETE MIXTURES
Dense-graded HMA concrete

A dense-graded HMA concrete is produced using well-graded

aggregates, and intended for general use

When properly designed and constructed, a dense-graded HMA

concrete is relatively impermeable

Dense-graded HMA concrete mixes are generally referred to by their

nominal maximum aggregate size

They can further be classified as either fine-graded or coarse-graded.

Fine-graded mixes have more fine and sand sized particles than
coarse-graded mixes
 TYPES OF ASPHALT CONCRETE MIXTURES
Dense-graded HMA concrete

Fine- and course-graded definitions for dense-graded HMA

concrete are presented in the following Table:

Mixture Nominal
Coarse-Graded Mix Fine-Graded Mix
Maximum Aggregate Size

< 35 % passing the 4.75 mm > 35 % passing the 4.75 mm

37.5 mm (1.5 inches)
(No. 4 Sieve) (No. 4 Sieve)
< 40 % passing the 4.75 mm > 40 % passing the 4.75 mm
25.0 mm (1.0 inch)
(No. 4 Sieve) (No. 4 Sieve)
< 35 % passing the 2.36 mm > 35 % passing the 2.36 mm
19.0 mm (0.75 inches)
(No. 8 Sieve) (No. 8 Sieve)
< 40 % passing the 2.36 mm > 40 % passing the 2.36 mm
12.5 mm (0.5 inches)
(No. 8 Sieve) (No. 8 Sieve)
< 45 % passing the 2.36 mm > 45 % passing the 2.36 mm
9.5 mm (0.375 inches)
(No. 8 Sieve) (No. 8 Sieve)
TYPES OF ASPHALT CONCRETE MIXTURES
Open-graded HMA concrete

An open-graded HMA mixture is designed to be water permeable

(dense-graded and SMA mixes usually are not permeable)
Open-graded mixes use only crushed stone (or gravel) and a
small percentage of manufactured sands.
There are three types of open-graded mixes typically used in the
U.S.:
Open-graded friction course (OGFC). Typically 15 percent air voids,
no minimum air voids specified, lower aggregate standards than
Porous European mixes (PEM).
Porous European mixes (PEM). Typically 18 - 22 percent air voids,
specified minimum air voids, higher aggregate standards than
OGFC and requires the use of asphalt binder modifiers. See Figure
2.13.
Asphalt treated permeable bases (ATPB). Less stringent
specifications than OGFC or PEM since it is used only under dense-
graded HMA, SMA or PCC for drainage
 AGGREGATES FOR ASPHALT CONCRETE MIXTURES
Introduction
Inasphalt concrete mixture, aggregates may constitute about 70-75% by
volume or 90-95% by weight

The roles of aggregates in a asphalt concrete pavement are to

distribute wheel loads through point-to-point contact (aggregate interlock)
ensuring stability of pavement (i.e., resistance to pavement deformation under
load)
provide resistance to abrasion and skid

A number of factors, such as quality, gradation, shape, stiffness, and quantity

of aggregates, determine effectiveness of aggregates in load transfer and
the stability of pavement

Aggregates for asphalt concrete are usually classified as coarse aggregates,

fine aggregates, and mineral filler

Mineral filler is often used in asphalt concrete mixtures to supply the fines
(smaller than 75 m or No. 200 sizes)

Fines are very important in producing a dense-graded, strong material.

Many natural sands do not contain the amount or type of fines required.
Limestone dust is the most common material used for mineral filler
AGGREGATES FOR ASPHALT CONCRETE MIXTURES
General requirements
Aggregates should be:
well-gradeddense, including mineral filler (if required) for strength

hardfor resistance to wear and to polishing due to traffic.

soundfor resistance to breakdown due to freezing and thawing.

rough surfacedcrushed rough surfaces give higher friction strength

and a better surface for adhesion of the asphalt cement.

freefrom cubicalthin, elongated aggregate particles because they

are broken easily.

hydrophobic (or water hating) some siliceous aggregates such

as quartz are hydrophobic (water liking), meaning that they have a
greater affinity for water than for asphalt, due to their surface
charges. This may lead to stripping, as asphalt coating comes away
from the particle in the presence of water.

free from deleterious substancesclay particles, dust, dirt, and

lightweight pieces may lead to a lower quality asphalt film on the
aggregate particles or may result in breaking of some of the
particles.
AGGREGATES FOR ASPHALT CONCRETE MIXTURES
Types of aggregate gradation
Following two types of aggregate gradation are commonly used in
pavement construction: (i) open gradation and (ii) dense gradation
Open-graded aggregate is an aggregate
containing little or no fine aggregate, or one in
which the void content in the compacted
aggregate is relatively large, as large as 20%
Open-graded aggregate is used to make open-
graded asphalt concrete, which provides good
skid resistance and high permeability so as to
permit good surface drainage

Dense-graded aggregate is an well-graded

aggregate containing fine aggregate filling the
voids in coarse aggregate
Use of dense-graded aggregate provides a
dense and impermeable layer and does not
normally require surface treatment or seal coat