Distribution Properties of Internal Air Voids in Ultrathin Asphalt Friction Course

Abstract

The distribution characteristics of air voids in ultrathin asphalt friction course(UAFC) samples with different gradations and compaction methods were statistically analyzed using X-ray computed tomography (CT) and image analysis techniques. Based on the results, compared with the AC-5 sample, the OGFC-5 mixture has a higher air void ratio, a larger air void size and a greater number of air voids, with the distribution of internal air voids being more uniform and their shapes being more rounded. The two-parameter Weibull function was applied to fit the gradation of air voids. The fitting results is good, and the function parameters are sensitive to changes in both mineral gradation and compaction method. Moreover, two homogeneity indices were proposed to evaluate the compaction uniformity of UAFC samples. Compared with the Marshall method, the SGC method is more conducive to improve the compaction uniformity of UAFC samples. The compaction method significantly influences the air void distribution characteristics and compaction uniformity of AC-5 sample, but has a less significant impact on OGFC-5 sample. The experimental results in the study provides a solid foundation for further explorations on the internal structure and mixture design of UAFC.

Keywords

ultrathin asphalt friction course / air void characterization / air void gradation / homogeneity evaluation / X-ray CT

References

[1] Li H, Yang F, Zhang F, et al. Diffusion and Regeneration Mechanism of Waste Composite Oils Rejuvenator in Aged Asphalt[J]. J. Wuhan University of Technology-Mater. Sci. Ed., 2021, 36(05): 664-671.

[2] Xing C, Li M, Liu L, et al. A Comprehensive Review on the Blending Condition between Virgin and RAP Asphalt Binders in Hot Recycled Asphalt Mixtures: Mechanisms, Evaluation Methods, and Influencing Factors[J]. J. Cleaner Prod., 2023, 398: 136 515.

[3] Hu M, Li L, Peng F. Laboratory Investigation of OGFC-5 Porous Asphalt Ultra-thin Wearing Course[J]. Constr. Build. Mater., 2019, 219: 101-110.

[4] Kandhal P S, Lockett L. Construction and Performance of Ultrathin Asphalt Friction Course[M]. Flexible Pavement Rehabilitation and Maintenance, 1998 West Conshohocken: ASTM International.

[5] Brewer W B, Williams G G. NovaChip-ultrathin Bonded Wearing Course[M], 2005 Oklahoma: Oklahoma Department of Transportation.

[6] Wilson B, Scullion T, Faruk A. Evaluation of Design and Construction Issues of Thin HMA Overlays[R]. Texas A&M Transportation Institute, 2015

[7] Labi S, Lamptey G, Konduri S, et al. Analysis of Long-term Effectiveness of Thin Hot-mix Asphaltic Concrete Overlay Treatments[J]. Transport. Res. Rec., 2005, 1940(1): 2-12.

[8] Allen Cooley L Jr, Ray Brown E. Potential of Using Stone Matrix Asphalt for Thin Overlays[J]. Transport Res. Rec., 2001, 1749(1): 46-52.

[9] Son S, Al-Qadi I L, Zehr T. 4.75 mm SMA Performance and Cost-effectiveness for Asphalt Thin Overlays[J]. Int. J. Pavement Eng., 2016, 17(9): 799-809.

[10] Liu Z, Wang X, Luo S, et al. Asphalt Mixture Design for Porous Utrathin Overlay[J]. Constr. Build. Mater., 2019, 217: 251-264.

[11] Li X, Gibson N, Qi X, et al. Laboratory and Full-Scale Evaluation of 4.75-mm Nominal Maximum Aggregate Size Superpave Overlay[J]. Transport. Res. Rec., 2012, 2293(1): 29-38.

[12] Suleiman N. Evaluation of North Dakota’s 4.75 mm Superpave Mixes for Thin Overlay Applications[J]. Transport. Res. Rec., 2011, 2204(1): 58-64.

[13] Tian J, Luo S, Liu Z, et al. Determination of Construction Parameters of Porous Ultra-Thin Overlays Based on Laboratory Compaction Studies[J]. Mater., 2020, 13(20): 4496-4517.

[14] Guo W, Guo X, Chen X, et al. Properties Analysis of Oil Shale Waste as Partial Aggregate Replacement in Open Grade Friction Course[J]. Appl. Sci., 2018, 8(9): 1626

[15] Guo W, Guo X, Chen X, et al. Laboratory Evaluation of the Permeability Durability of Utilization of Oil Shale Waste as Fine Aggregate in Open Grade Friction Course in Seasonal Frozen Regions[J]. Appl. Sci., 2020, 10(1): 419

[16] Cheng H, Liu L, Sun L. Bridging the Gap between Laboratory and Field Moduli of Asphalt Layer for Pavement Design and Assessment: A Comprehensive Loading Frequency-based Approach[J]. Front. Struct. Civ. Eng., 2022, 16(3): 267-280.

[17] Masad E, Jandhyala V K, Dasgupta N, et al. Characterization of Air Void Distribution in Asphalt Mixes Using X-ray Computed Tomography[J]. J. Mater. Civ. Eng., 2002, 14(2): 122-129.

[18] Masad E, Muhunthan B, Shashidhar N, et al. Internal Structure Characterization of Asphalt Concrete Using Image Analysis[J]. J. Comput. Civ. Eng., 1999, 13(2): 88-95.

[19] Thyagarajan S, Tashman L, Masad E, et al. The Heterogeneity and Mechanical Response of Hot Mix Asphalt Laboratory Specimens[J]. Int. J. Pavement Eng., 2010, 11(2): 107-121.

[20] Arambula E, Masad E, Martin A E. Influence of Air Void Distribution on the Moisture Susceptibility of Asphalt Mixes[J]. J. Mater Civ. Eng., 2007, 19(8): 655-664.

[21] Alvarez A E, Martin A E, Estakhri C. Effects of Densification on Permeable Friction Course Mixtures[J]. J. Test. Eval., 2009, 37(1): 11-20.

[22] Alvarez A E, Martin A E, Estakhri C. Internal Structure of Compacted Permeable Friction Course Mixtures[J]. Constr. Build. Mater., 2010, 24(6): 1027-1035.

[23] Norhidayah A H, Mahmud M Z H, Ramadhansyah P J. Air Void Characterisation in Porous Asphalt Using X-ray Computed Tomography[C]. Advanced Materials Research, Trans Tech Publications Ltd, 2014, 911: 443-448.

[24] Hassan N A, Airey G D, Collop A C. Microstructural Characterisation of Rubber Modified Asphalt Mixctures[D], 2012 Nottingham: University of Nottingham.

[25] Wendykier P, Nagy J G. Parallel Colt: A High-performance Java Library for Scientific Computing and Image Processing[J]. ACM T. Math. Software, 2010, 37(3): 1-22.

[26] Yu B, Gu X, Ni F, et al. Microstructure Characterization of Cold Inplace Recycled Asphalt Mixtures by X-ray Computed Tomography[J]. Constr. Build. Mater., 2018, 171: 969-976.

[27] Li Q, Yang H, Ma X, et al. Evaluation of Microstructure and Damage Evolution for Asphalt Pavements in an Advanced Repeated Load Permanent Deformation Test Using X-ray Computed Tomography[J]. Road Mater Pavement, 2017, 18(5): 1135-1158.

[28] Gao L, Ni F, Luo H, et al. Characterization of Air Voids in Cold Inplace Recycling Mixtures Using X-ray Computed Tomography[J]. Constr. Build. Mater., 2015, 84: 429-436.

[29] Alaye Q E A, Ling X Z, Dong Z, et al. Evaluation of Mixture Performance Recycled Asphalt Pavement Materials as Base Layer with or without Rejuvenator into the Asphalt[J]. J. Wuhan University of Technology-Mater. Sci. Ed., 2020, 35(3): 579-597.

[30] Zhao Y, Wang X, Jiang J, et al. Characterization of Interconnectivity, Size Distribution and Uniformity of Air Voids in Porous Asphalt Concrete Using X-ray CT Scanning Images[J]. Constr. Build. Mater., 2019, 213: 182-193.

[31] Hu J, Qian Z, Liu Y, et al. Microstructural Characteristics of Asphalt Concrete with Different Gradations by X-ray CT[J]. J. Wuhan University of Technology-Mater. Sci. Ed., 2017, 32(3): 625-632.