Comprehensive Evaluation of Rutting of Warm-Mix Asphalt Utilizing Long-Term Pavement Performance Specific Pavement Studies

Abstract

Warm-mix asphalt (WMA) technologies allow binder softening for compaction benefits. Lower production temperature also causes reduced short-term aging in WMA. Considering the long-term implication of the reduced aging and binder softening, WMA is being questioned about its rutting characteristics. As such, this study evaluates different WMA technologies for rutting characteristics in comparison to traditional hot-mix asphalt (HMA) through laboratory and field investigation. The study utilized the long-term pavement performance (LTPP) project in the state of New Mexico called Specific Pavement Study-10 (SPS-10), which was designed to evaluate the WMA performances. The LTPP SPS-10 section includes: (i) control HMA, (ii) foaming, (iii) Evotherm, (iv) Cecabase 1, and (v) Cecabase 2 mixtures. Cecabase 2 mixture consists of a polymer-modified binder (PG 70-28+), whereas other mixtures consist of PG 70-28 binder. The aggregate type, properties, and gradations are the same in all the sections. Laboratory evaluation of rutting was conducted through the Hamburg wheel tracking test. Long-term field rutting was evaluated through Mandli’s pavement profile scanner, a laser-based distress evaluation technology. The study found that WMA with foaming, Evotherm, or Cecabase shows slightly higher rutting compared with the control HMA; however, all the sections satisfied laboratory and field rutting criteria. The use of a polymer-modified binder in WMA significantly improves the rutting characteristics.