Principal Investigator(s):
David Newcomb, Former University Researcher, Civil, Environmental and Geo-Engineering
Co-Investigators:
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Andrew Drescher, Former Professor, Civil, Environmental and Geo-Engineering
Project summary:
The fundamental bituminous mixture properties for both the MnROAD 10-Year Mainline and Low Volume facility will be characterized. Materials to be tested and evaluated include the mix design materials for the 85/100 pen asphalt cement mixtures, and behind the paver samples and cores from each test cell. The laboratory testing program has been designed to evaluate the temperature susceptibility, low temperature behavior, moisture sensitivity, tensile strength, and permanent deformation characteristics of the mixtures for each test cell. Differences in properties obtained for the mix design, construction, and in-place materials will be compared. Testing will include a range of methods selected based upon the findings from the evaluation of the 5-Year Mainline bituminous test cells. Tests were selected based on reliability of data, and measurements of fundamental properties that would be expected to be used in either current or proposed pavement design methods. In particular, as many of the proposed Strategic Highway Research Program (SHRP) test methods were included as possible. The results from this research will provide the initial assessment of mixture properties. This data will be the baseline or comparison of both in-place properties and pavement performance over the life of the test facility.