Characterization Tests for Mineral Fillers Related to Performance of Asphalt Paving Mixtures

Abstract

Various studies have shown that the properties of mineral filler, especially the material passing through a 0.075-mm (No. 200) sieve (generally called P200 material), have a significant effect on the performance of asphalt paving mixtures in terms of permanent deformation, fatigue cracking, and moisture susceptibility. However, researchers have employed different characterization tests for evaluating the P200 materials. This study was undertaken to determine which P200 characterization tests are most related to the performance of asphalt paving mixtures. Six P200 materials representing a wide range of mineralogical composition and particle size were used. These P200 materials were characterized by six tests including Rigden voids, particle size analysis, and methylene blue test. Mixes were prepared with two fines to asphalt ratios (0.8 and 1.5) by weight. Mix validation tests included the Superpave shear test for evaluating permanent deformation and fatigue cracking, and the Hamburg wheel tracking test and AASHTO T283 for evaluating moisture susceptibility of the 12 mixtures containing different P200 materials and fines to asphalt ratios. The particle sizes in microns corresponding to 60 and 10 percent passing and the methylene blue test were determined to be related to the performance of asphalt paving mixtures.