Asphalt Performance Testing
National Asphalt Pavement Association
56th Annual Meeting
February 2011
Peter J. Stephanos, P.E.
Director, Office of Pavement Technology
Federal Highway Administration
1
Why Performance Testing?
• Volumetric design alone
is not always sufficient
o High traffic
o Critical projects
o Evaluate new materials and
methods
• Engineering properties
Needed for structural analysis
o MEPDG
2
Why Performance Testing?
• Improve mix designs
• Obtain fundamental engineering properties
• Directly relate to in-service performance
• Support performance based specifications
3
Superpave Mixture Tests
• Shear test AASHTO T320
o Modulus
o Permanent deformation
• Flexural fatigue AASHTO T321
o Fatigue cracking
• Indirect tensile test AASHTO T322
o Thermal cracking
4
Issues With SHRP Products
• High cost
o Equipment
o Training
• Prototype equipment
• Used with performance models
o Errors
o Not calibrated
o Not user friendly
5
Performance Test Still Needed!
• FHWA and NCHRP Considered
o Gyratory compactor modification
o Asphalt pavement analyzer
o Other Fundamental tests
6
Path for Test Development
Research Commercial Equipment
Need Draft Test Method
Prototype Equipment Specification
Verification First Article Equipment
Production Equipment
Ruggedness Improve
Test Method
Critical Aspects Equipment Provisional AASHTO
Test Methods
Round Robin Testing
Engineering Practice
Precision and Bias
7
Path for Test Development
Research Commercial Equipment
Superpave
Need Performance
Draft Test Method
TestEquipment
Prototype Specification
Verification First Article Equipment
Production Equipment
Ruggedness Improve
Test Method
Critical Aspects Equipment Provisional AASHTO
Test Methods
Round Robin Testing
Engineering Practice
Precision and Bias
8
Path for Test Development
Research Commercial Equipment
FHWA
Need Draft Test Method
research and
Prototype Equipment NCHRP 9-19
Specification
Verification First Article Equipment
Production Equipment
Ruggedness Improve
Test Method
Critical Aspects Equipment Provisional AASHTO
Test Methods
Round Robin Testing
Engineering Practice
Precision and Bias
9
Path for Test Development
Research Commercial Equipment
Need Draft Test Method
Prototype Equipment Specification
Verification First Article Equipment
Production Equipment
Ruggedness Improve
NCHRP
Test Method 9-29
Critical Aspects Equipment Provisional AASHTO
Test Methods
Round Robin Testing
Engineering Practice
Precision and Bias
10
Recommended Tests
• Dynamic Modulus
o Rutting
o Cracking
• Flow Number (repeated
load)
o Rutting
11
Path for Test Development
Research Commercial Equipment
Need Draft Test Method
Prototype Equipment Specification
Verification First Article Equipment
NCHRP 9-29
Asphalt Mix ETG Production Equipment
Ruggedness Improve
AMPT Pooled Fund
Test Method
Critical Aspects Equipment Provisional AASHTO
Test Methods
Round Robin Testing
Engineering Practice
Precision and Bias
12
Asphalt Mixture Performance Tester (AMPT)
Machine Specifically for Testing
Engineering Properties of Asphalt
Mixtures:
• Dynamic Modulus
• Flow Number
• Fatigue Test (potential)
13
AMPT Pooled Fund Study TPF-5(178)
• Objectives
o Procure AMPT for highway agencies
o Provide training on AMPT
o Support national AMPT implementation
• Progress and Schedule
o Four AMPTs delivered
o More AMPTs to be ordered in 2011
o One training course completed
o Four additional courses scheduled in 2011
14
AMPT Pooled Fund Study TPF-5(178)
15
Application of Performance Testing
• Mix Design and Evaluation
o Identify potential performance issues
• Pavement Design
o Engineering properties for MEPDG
• New Material Evaluation
• Construction Acceptance
o Performance based specifications
o Performance Monitoring
16
