Evaluation of High-Temperature Performance of Asphalt Mixtures Based on Climatic Conditions

Abstract

The dynamic stability of a rutting test does not optimally reflect the high-temperature stability of asphalt mixtures. In this study, a rutting test was performed over a long duration (4 h) at different temperatures (40, 50, 60, 70 °C) for three asphalt mixtures, namely, matrix AC-16, SMA-16, and modified AC-16 asphalt mixtures. Subsequently, the temperature rutting rate was obtained after considering the annual temperature conditions of Guangdong and Beijing in China. Because the conditions of the rutting test were different from that of the actual pavement, the rut depth was calculated using a modified temperature rutting rate. This modification considered four factors: wheel trace distribution, temperature, pavement thickness, and loading rate. The calculation of the temperature rutting rate considered the climatic conditions and utilized the rutting deformation data from hour 1–4 of the rutting tests, during which the asphalt mixture was in a stable creep period. Thus, the high-temperature stability of the asphalt mixture was reflected more scientifically by the temperature rutting rate than the dynamic stability. The high-temperature rut-resistance of the asphalt mixture was found to improve significantly after the introduction of two additives (anti-rutting agent and lignin fiber). The modified formula for rut depth can realistically predict the annual rutting depth for three asphalt mixtures in a one-way driving pavement.