Fatigue Performance: Asphalt Binder versus Mixture versus Full-Scale Pavements

The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) built 12 asphalt pavements in 1993 to validate Superpave tests and specifications used to measure the rutting and fatigue cracking performances of hot-mix asphalts and asphalt binders. Each pavement had four test sites. These sites were tested for either rutting or fatigue cracking using the FHWA’s Accelerated Loading Facility (ALF). The main objective of the study documented in this paper was to compare the fatigue performance results from laboratory bending beam fatigue tests to the ALF fatigue cracking data obtained for these sites from lanes 1 through 4. The four lanes consisted of two asphalt pavement layer thicknesses (100 and 200 mm) and two asphalt binders (PG 58-34 and PG 64-22). Each lane was tested at three temperatures 10, 19, and 28°C. Another objective of this study was to investigate the relationship between the asphalt binder parameter for intermediate temperature performance (G*sinδ) and asphalt pavement fatigue life. Findings of this study showed that a relatively good correlation was obtained between the ALF pavement fatigue life and the asphalt mixture fatigue life from the strain-controlled bending beam fatigue tests. Comparison of the fatigue results at the three test temperatures showed rational trends with the longest fatigue life at 28°C and the shortest fatigue life at 10°C. Fatigue power models at these test temperatures were also obtained for asphalt mixtures produced using the two asphalt binders

Understanding Asset Management Systems Utilized by Municipalities in Massachusetts

A MassDOT goal is to have an overall idea of the pavement condition of state and local roads in Massachusetts. This study cataloged the different pavement management systems (PMS) being used by municipalities, Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs), and Regional Planning Agencies (RPAs) throughout Massachusetts. A comprehensive literature review was performed. An internet-based survey was developed and administered to Massachusetts local/regional agencies. Some follow-up interviews were conducted. The potential for using a unified PMS software within the state was explored. The study compared 13 different PMS software programs currently being used in Massachusetts. Each has unique approaches to condition data collection. Each calculates distress/condition indices differently, thus the same condition data could yield different results when calculated using different software programs. The potential of using a unified PMS software for MPOs/RPAs in Massachusetts was explored. Vendors held virtual demonstrations of selected PMS software; there was no consensus on software preference reached. Overall, this study helps outline the existing PMS state of practice at the local and regional level in Massachusetts and identifies obstacles that lay ahead in achieving MassDOT\u2019s goal to have an overall idea of the pavement condition in Massachusetts, for both state and local roads

Improving the Long-term Condition of Pavements in Massachusetts and Determining Return on Investment: Implementing the AASHTO Mechanistic-Empirical Pavement Design Guide\u2014PHASE II

The goal of this study was to develop an AASHTOWare\uae Pavement M-E user\u2019s manual and develop a local experimental plan and sampling template for Massachusetts. A stand-alone software manual was developed that provides a thorough step-by-step procedure on how to use the software. The manual guides users on how to generate the data, in particular, material properties and climatic and traffic data as they relate to local locations within the state of Massachusetts. A preliminary experimental and sampling plan for local verification/calibration of the distress functions and smoothness regression equations in the AASHTOWare\uae Pavement Mechanistic-Empirical Design was also developed. Finally, testing was conducted on typical plant-produced mixtures sampled from across Massachusetts in an attempt to accelerate future phases of this research. This report outlines the work conducted in phase two of a four phase larger research project aimed at implementing the AASHTO Mechanistic-Empirical Pavement Design Guide (MEPDG) in Massachusetts

Application of waterjet cutting for pothole repair

A study was conducted to determine the feasibility of utilizing high pressure waterjet cutting technology as an infrastructure maintenance tool. The influence of waterjet cutting parameters, compaction technique, repair methods, and environmental factors on the behavior of asphalt pavement materials have been systematically evaluated. Results indicate that the waterjet can be effectively used in repair operations for asphalt pavements. Also, the waterjet has a distinct advantage over other conventional mechanical cutting methods since it does not damage pavement materials immediately below and adjacent to a deteriorated region. Based on this study, a field portable prototype cutting unit has been designed