Refinement of New-Generation Open-Graded Friction Course Mix Design

Abstract

Open-graded friction course (OGFC) has been used in the United States for more than 50 years. In 2000, National Center for Asphalt Technology (NCAT) research led to a recommended mix design procedure for a new-generation OGFC, but the work involved only one aggregate source. Therefore, NCAT is in the process of refining this design procedure to ensure that it is applicable to other aggregate types used in surface mixes throughout the United States. The objectives of NCAT's current research are to refine and field validate the new-generation OGFC mix design procedure. This work has led to several experiments. Several objectives have been identified that need to be addressed. Superpave® technology and use of the Superpave gyratory compactor (SGC) need to be incorporated into the mix design procedure. The Cantabro test for durability and resistance to stone loss needs to be adapted to SGC-prepared specimens and performance parameters established. The asphalt draindown test (AASHTO T 305-97), which was developed for stone-matrix asphalt mixtures, also needs to be evaluated for applicability to OGFC mixtures. In addition, a method for effectively evaluating air void criteria needs to be investigated. On the basis of the research conducted in this study, 50 gyrations of the SGC was selected as the design compactive effort during mix design. Also, the use of SGC-prepared samples during the Cantabro test appears to be a reasonable alternative to use of Marshall-compacted samples.