Soft Asphalt Pavement – Solution for Low-Volume Roads in Changing Climate and Economy

Abstract

In Lithuania, it has always has been an important issue to find durable and cost-effective solutions for paving low-volume roads. The conventional asphalt concrete structures were built using paving grade bitumen with the penetration of 70/100 or 100/150 over the recent 20 years. The performance of those pavements was satisfactory. As an alternative solution, the use of soft asphalt pavements was proposed. This technology is widely used in Nordic countries. But in Lithuania it has never been applied. Research on the designed soft asphalt mixtures was carried out and the trial on-site sections were constructed. The results of laboratory tests and on-site research were positive and promising. Based on that, the technology could be considered as successfully implemented and good quality was achieved.