• Effectiveness of TSR Test for Evaluating Moisture Sensitivity of WMA Mixes

    NCDOT Research Project Number: 2014-04

Executive Summary

  • The objectives of the proposed research were: (1) to evaluate whether the residual trapped moisture in WMA mixes affects the TSR test results, and investigate if the curing of compacted specimens is required for WMA mixes that is different from the HMA mixes; (2) to evaluate the stiffness, fatigue performance, and rutting potential of the foaming-based WMA mixes in a moisture-conditioned state so that the actual degradation of these mixes can be compared directly to the results of TSR and indirect tensile (IDT) strength tests; and (3) to explore modifications to the current TSR test protocol or to develop alternative test methods such as impact resonance and colorimeter analysis that can be used in lieu of TSR tests for foaming-based WMA mixes.

    These objectives were accomplished by performing IDT tests to obtain the TSR in the traditional manner, dynamic modulus (AASHTO TP79) and impact resonance (IR) tests for stiffness characterization. The feasibility of impact resonance technology to quantify the effect of moisture damage was explored. These tests were performed on a WMA and three hot mix asphalt (HMA) mixtures using the modified AASHTO T283 procedure that is currently used by NCDOT. The percentage of stripping determined from the colorimeter analysis of the fractured surfaces of the specimens was used as a reference test method to indicate the level of stripping in WMA and HMA mixes.


  
Akhtarhusein A. Tayebali
Researchers
  
Akhtarhusein A. Tayebali; Mohammad Pour-Ghaz
  
Todd Whittington
  
Mustan Kadibhai, PE, CPM

Report Period

  • August 16, 2013 - July 31, 2017

Status

  • Complete

Category

  • Pavement, Materials and Maintenance

Sub Category

  • Asphalt Mix Design

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