Rut Resistance Behavior of Pavement Structures

Combined by the Different Asphalt Mixtures

FAN Tong-jiang
Professor, School of Civil Architecture
Chongqing Jiaotong University
Chongqing 400074, China
ftj.163@163.com

ABSTRACT--- In this paper rut resistance behavior of Super-Viscous Modified Bitumen(SVMB) respectively, were
pavement structures combined by the different asphalt mixtures is experienced by Chinas wheel tracking tester in lab.
presented. Nine types of Hot Mix Asphalt (HMA) and ten types of Experimental results showed that the rut resistance behavior of
their different combinations are experienced with Chinas wheel all double-deck asphalt concrete structures whether it is make
tracking tester in this study. They are composed of three types of
aggregate gradation including a coarse, a middle and a fine
up of different HMA or same, are considerably poor than that
gradation of norminal aggregate size of respectively 26.5mm, of monolayer asphalt concrete structures, for example, the
19mm and 13.2mm, and three types of asphalt binders including a former DS almost had only half of that of the latter but the
Conventional Bitumen, a Modified Bitumen and a Super-Viscous former Rates of Deformation (RD) had an increase of about
Modified Bitumen. Experimental results showed that the rut 50% than that of the latter, and there is no exception even
resistance behavior of all double-deck asphalt concrete whether it though for a combination of SVMB and coarse aggregate
is made up of different HMA or the same, is considerably poorer gradation. Results also indicated that if the HMA of upper-layer
than that of relative monolayer asphalt concrete. There is no of double-deck asphalt concrete is same type, using the MB or
exception even to a combination of Super-modified bitumen with SVMB binder substituting the CB binder in the lower layer of
coarse aggregate gradation. The results also indicated that if the
Conventional Bitumen binder is substituted by the Modified
double-deck asphalt concrete, rut resistance property not
Bitumen or Super-Viscous Modified Bitumen binder in the improved remarkably. Therefore in Chinas specifications
down-layer of double-deck asphalt concrete when the HMA of setting the DS index of monolayer asphalt concrete structures
up-layer of double-deck asphalt concrete structure is the same type, to meet the requirement of 800(times/mm) as a criterion of
rut resistance property has been improved but not remarkably. controlling rut of multi-layer asphalt concrete structures is
Therefore in Chinas Specifications for setting the dynamic unreasonable.
stability of monolayer asphalt concrete to meet the requirement of
800(times/mm) as a criterion of controlling rut of multi-layer 2. MATERIALS AND METHODS
asphalt concrete is unreasonable.
2.1 Characteristics of Binders Gradation Used in Test
Keywords: rut resistance behavior; pavement structures;
asphalt mixtures; aggregate gradation; dynamic stability. Three types of binders and their technical characteristics are
listed in table 1.And the course aggregate and fine aggregate
1 INTRODUCTION used in test are all the crushed lime stone, and the filter is the
powder milled with clear, harder lime stone and all their
Rutting,or permanent deformation has been and continues to
technical characteristics are listed in table 2.
be a major problem in Hot Mix Asphalt (HMA) pavements in
the world, especially in high temperature areas and at heavy Table 1 Characteristics of Binders Applied in Test
traffic load. And it is caused by consolidation or lateral Types of Binders
movement, or both, of the HMA under repeated traffic.There are Items of test
CB 60/80 MB SVMB
many academic papers [1, 2, and 3]that have presented the research
results for rut resistance behavior of HMA. It is recognized to Penetration at( 25,100gr,5sec) ( 0.1mm) 69 46 41
generally occurs in the top 100 mm (4 in) of the HMA Softening Point ( Ring&Ball) () 48 73 91
structure[4 and 5]. However, Chinas Specifications for Design of Durability(15) (cm) 100 43.1 27
Highway Asphalt Pavement[6] regulates the Dynamic Stability
Solubility(Trichloroethane) (% ) 99 99 99
(DS) of 800(times/mm), which is obtained by testing monolayer
asphalt concrete structure that is a thickness of 5mm samples, as Specific Gravity (20/20) 1.016 1.007 1.017
a criterion of controlling rut of multi-layer asphalt concrete Dynamic Viscosity/Pa.s (175)   0.287
structures. In practice many expressways that were constructed (170)  0.277 0.457
based on that criterion mentioned above have become conscious
(150) 0.213 0.427 7.17
of severe rutting to have taken place. What causes result in this
problem to take place? In order to understand real causes, in this (135) 0.477 2.713 16.82
study nine types of hot mix asphalt and ten types of their types a (60)   87796
gradation of maximum aggregate size of 31.5mm, 26.5mm and Aging Test(RTFO)
aggregate gradation including a coarse, a middle and a
Mass loss (%) 0.15 0.24 0.04
fine16mm respectively, and three types of asphalt binder
including different combination, which are composed of three of Penetration Ratio regarding original(%) 73.5 81.4 71.4
a Conventional Bitumen(CB), a Modified Bitumen(MB) and Durability (15) (cm) 100 22.5 15.5

978-1-4244-7161-4/10/$26.00 2010 IEEE

 Table 2
Characteristics of Coarse aggregate, Fine aggregate and Filter 300 mm wide, 300 mm long, but vary thichness according to
Coarse Fine three times of norminal dimensions of gradation. And for the
Items of test Aggregate Aggregate Filter
double-deck asphalt concrete, all specimen dimensions are
Crushed index values % 20.3    300 mm wide, 300 mm long,but total thichness for each a
Los Angeles abrasion loss% 24.1    specimen is the sum combined by the up-layer plus the
down-layer respectively according to three times of norminal
Specific gravity (2020) 2.732 2.693 2.713
dimensions of gradation. The specimens were maintanced a
Water absorption% 1.5 1.9  contant temperatures at 60C above 5 hours and then tested.
Robustness% 9.8 12  Test samples are loaded for a hour at tire contact pressures of
0.7MPa. The travel speed of the wheel move back and forth
Contents of soft rock% 3   
approximately 42 times per 60 second. Data, which is the
Contents of flat and slender particles% 15    average value of four specimens tested, is automatically
Contents of less than 0.075mm% 1 2.5  collected and calculated by the computer.The dynamic
stability(DS) of samples for asphalt mixtures was calculated by
Sand equivalences % 66 62  the formula (1):

(t 2 t1 ) N C
Sand flow s   31.5 

The graphs of three types of aggregate gradation, which meet DS= C2 (1)
d 2 d1
1
requirements of Chinas Techincal specifications for
construction of highway asphalt pavements[7]are shown in fig.1. Where is

DS- the dynamic stability of asphalt mixturestimes/mm.
&RDUVHJUDGLQJ*F

0LGGOHJUDGLQJ*P
d1-deformations corresponding with time t1=45min
3HUFHQWDJHSDVV

)LQHJUDGLQJ*I
mm.

d2- deformations corresponding with time t2=60min

mm.
C1-revise coefficient for type of tester.It is applied to 1.0
 when the tester is droven by the crank and connecting rod
mechanism; It is applied to 1.5 when the tester is droven by

the chain mechanism.
 C2- sample coefficient.It is1.0 for the sample being prepared
             by 300 mm wide, 300 mm long.
VLHYHVL]HPP
)LJXUH*UDGLQJRIPL[WXUHXVHGLQWHVW
N- The travel speed of the wheel, it is approximately 42
times /min.
2.2 Description of Symbols Used in Paper 3 EXPERIMENTAL RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
In order to have a simple and clear description symbols for
grading types, binder types and types of mixtures are defined 3.1 Experimental Results
respectively in table 3 and table 4. Experimental results for monolayer and double-deck asphalt
Table 3 Types of Gradations and Binders and all their Symbols
concrete are respectively shown in Table 5 and Table 6.
Grading Types Symbols Binder Types Symbols
Table 4 Types of the Mixtures and the Composite Structures and their Symbols
Coarse GradingMaximum Conventional Monolayer Asphalt Combination of Double-deck Asphalt
Size 31.5mm Gc Bitumen60/80 CB Concrete Structures Concrete Structures
Middle GradingMaximum Types of
Size 26.5mm Gm Modified Bitumen MB Mixtures Symbols Types of Mixtures Symbols
Fine GradingMaximum Super-Viscous Gc with Gc CB Up-layer: Gm CB(60/80) plus *P&%*F
Size 16mm Gf Modified Bitumen SVMB CB(60/80) Down-Layer: Gc CB(60/80) &%
2.3 Test Methods *P ZLWK Gm CB Up-layer:Gm MB plus *P0%*F
&% Down-Layer: Gc CB(60/80) &%
For simulating research of rut resistance behavior of Gf with Gf CB 8SOD\HU*P690%SOXV *P690%
CB(60/80) 'RZQ/D\HU*F&% *F&%
HMA the most common type of laboratory equipment to be
Gc with 8SOD\HU*P0%SOXV *P0%*F
used is generally a Loaded wheel testers (LWT).They include MB Gc MB
'RZQ/D\HU*F690% 690%
the Georgia Loaded Wheel Tester (GLWT), Asphalt Pavement 8SOD\HU*P690%SOXV *P690%
Analyzer (APA), Hamburg Wheel Tracking Device(HWTD), *PZLWK0% Gm MB
'RZQ/D\HU*F690% *F690%
LCPC (French) Wheel Tracker, Purdue University Laboratory 8SOD\HU*I&%
*I&%*F
Wheel Tracking Device(PURWheel), and one-third scale Model Gf with MB Gf MB SOXV'RZQ/D\HU*F
&%
&%
Mobile Load Simulator (MMLS3) [4]. In the paper Chinas 8SOD\HU*I0%SOXV *I0%
Wheel Tracking Tester (Accuracy of deformation sensor is up to *FZLWK690% Gc SVMB
'RZQ/D\HU*F&% *F&%
0.01%) similar to GLWT was used. All test was carried out Gm with Gm SVMB 8SOD\HU*I690%SOXV *I690%
according to the Standard Specifications SVMB 'RZQ/D\HU*F&% *F&%
Gf with 8SOD\HU*I0%SOXV *I0%*F
method,T0719-1993,Standard test Methods of Bitumen and SVMB Gf SVMB
'RZQ/D\HU*F690% 690%
Bituminous Mixtures for Highway Engineering[8]. All specimen 8SOD\HU*I690%SOXV *I690%
 
dimensions for the monolayer asphalt concrete are respectively 'RZQ/D\HU*F690% *F690%
Table 5 Experimental Results for the Monolayer Asphalt Concrete structures
1 s1 t1 y1
Types of
0HDQ'6 0HDQ6WDQGDUG 0HDQ 0HDQ6WDQGDUG 1 s2 t 2 y
Asphalt
Concrete WLPHVPP 'HYLDWLRQ 5' 'HYLDWLRQ 2
Gc CB 1087 3.86 0.0386 5.2 1 s3 t3 y3

k0
Gc MB 4400 9.6 0.0096 6.7 s4 t4
Gc SVMB 4440 10.5 0.0095 5.65 1 y4
Gm CB 1189 6.53 0.0353 5.4 1 s5 t5 y5
Gm MB 3280 12.8 0.0128 7.84 X= k = k1 Y=
Gm SVMB 4200 10.55 0.01 6.75 1 s6 t6 y6
Gf CB 868 4.84 0.0484 7.9 1 s7 t7 k2 y
Gf MB 2832 14.8 0.0148 12.18 7
Gf SVMB 3360 12.55 0.0125 4.76 1 s8 t8 y8
Table 6 Experimental Results for the Double-deck Asphalt Concrete structures 1 s9 t9 y
Combined by the Different Asphalt Mixtures 9
0HDQ 1 s10 t10 y10
Combination of
0HDQ'6 6WDQGDUG 0HDQ 0HDQ6WDQGDUG
Asphalt Concrete
Structures WLPHVPP'HYLDWLRQ 5' 'HYLDWLRQ
 k =X/Y; Y=X k .
Gm CB+ Gc CB 630.5 6.67 0.0667 12.4 Y =the DSs or the RDs of double-deck asphalt concrete.
Gm MB+ Gc CB 1832 12.9 0.0229 3.6 X1 =the DSs or the RDs of the monolayer down-layer
Gm SVMB+ Gc CB 1890 8.22 0.0222 4.3 asphalt concrete.
Gm MB+ Gc SVMB 2102 12.5 0.02 7.2 X2 =the DS s or the RDs of the monolayer up-layer asphalt
Gm SVMB+ Gc SVMB 2044 12.04 0.0205 4.1
concrete.
Calculations based upon experimental data in table 5 and
Gf CB+ Gc CB 541.5 7.76 0.0776 14.7 table 6 by (2) can be obtained respectively:
Gf MB+ Gc CB 1339 13.1 0.0314 8.1 DSdouble=120.15+0.0501x1+0.4214x2 (3)
Gf SVMB+ Gc CB 1443 12.91 0.0291 14.5
RDdouble=4.444710-3+0.0896x1+1.5133x2 (4)
Gf MB+ Gc SVMB 1451 10.29 0.029 4.8
Gf SVMB+ Gc SVMB 1535 11.28 0.0275 11.2 Where DSdouble =the DS of double-deck asphalt concrete.
RDdouble= the RD of double-deck asphalt concrete.
3.2 Discussion The relationship between the experimental value and the
3.2.1 Correlation of the DS or the RD calculating value for the DSs and for the RDs obtained
respectively by the (3) and the (4) and their residuals are shown
Comparing the data in table 5 and in table 6 can know that respectively in fig.2 and in fig. 3.The results indicated that the
the rut resistance behavior of all double-deck asphalt concrete values predicted by the (3) or the (4) have a good linear
structures whether they made up of different HMA or same, are relationship with experimental value whether is for the DSs or
considerably poor than that of monolayer asphalt concrete for the RDs. So we recognize that the (3) and the (4) predicting
structures, for example, the former the DS almost had only half the DSs or the RDs of double-deck asphalt concrete with the
of that of the latter but the former the RD had an increase of monolayer DSs or RDs are reliable and accurate.
about 50% than that of the latter, and no exception even though
Relationship between experimental value and calculating value for DS (Model A)
for a combination of SVMB with coarse aggregate gradation. 2500

Results also indicated that if the HMA of upper-layer of 2000

Experimental value

double-deck asphalt concrete is same type, using the MB or 1500

y = 1*x - 1.2e-013

SVMB binder substituting the CB binder in the lower layer of

1000
double-deck asphalt concrete, rut resistance property not
improved markedly. From the data in the table mentioned 500 data 1
linear

above,we can build the relationships of the DS or the RD 0

400 600 800 1000 1200 1400 1600 1800 2000 2200
between the double-deck asphalt concrete structures and the Calculating value

different monolayer asphalt concrete structures as the following residuals

model: 300 Linear: norm of residuals = 554.5275

200

y=k0+k1x1+k2x2 (2) 100

-100

The matrix X, k Y: -200

-300

Where 600 800 1000 1200 1400 1600 1800 2000

Figure 2 The relationship between experimental value and calculating value for
the DS and residuals
 Relationship between experimental value and calculating value for RD (Model A)
but a considerable improvement for the MB or the SVMB.
0.08

Experimental value

y = 1*x - 2.7e-017

0.06


'6WLPHVPP

0.04 6HFRQG*URXS

)LUVW*URXS
data 1 
0.02 linear 
0.01 0.02 0.03 0.04 0.05 0.06 0.07 0.08 0.09 
Calculating value 
residuals 
0.05 
Linear: norm of residuals = 0.010101
*P0%*F&% *P0%*F690% *P690%*F&% *P690%*F690%
&RPSRVLWHW\SHVRIDVSKDOWPL[WXUHV

0
)LJXUH&RPSDULVRQRI'6RI'RXEOHGHFN6WUXFWXUHVWKDWFRQVLVW
RIWKH'RZQOD\HUVZLWK6DPH*UDGDWLRQEXW'LIIHUHQW%LQGHUVDQG
WKH8SOD\HUVZLWK6DPH*UDGDWLRQDQGELQGHULQ6DPH*URXS

-0.05
0.03 0.04 0.05 0.06 0.07 0.08 
6HFRQG*URXS
Figure 3 The relationship between experimental value and calculating value

for the RD and residuals )LUVW*URXS

'67LPHVPP
3.2.2 Influence of the combination of different asphalt 

mixtures on rut resistance behavior 

As showed in Fig.4 and in Fig.5, in the same group whether 

it is for the Down-layers or for the up-layers only the types of


binders change the DS of the pavement structures combined by *I690%*F&% *I0%*F690% *I690%*F690% *P690%*F&% *P0%*F690% *P690%*F690%

different asphalt mixtures have quite evident difference. In the &RPSRVLWHW\SHVRIDVSKDOWPL[WXUHV

same group when keeping the mixtures of the Down-layers are )LJXUH&RPSUDLVRQRI'6IRUWKH'RXEOHGHVN6WUXFWXUHVWKDW&RQVLVWRI
WKH6DPH*UDGDWLRQEXWGLIIHUHQWELQGHUVUHVSHFWLYHO\IRUWKH'RZQOD\HUV
the same and the binders of the Up-layers mixtures use the DQGWKH8SOD\HUVLQ6DPH*URXS

 
 7KLUG*URXS
 6HFRQG*URXS
 
)LUVW*URXS 6HFRQG*URXS
'67LPHVPP

 
'67LPHVPP







*I&%*F&%
)LJXUH&RPSDULVRQRI'6IRU'RXEOHGHVN6WUXFWXUHVWKDW&RQVLVWRI
WKH'RZQOD\HUVZLWK6DPH0L[WXUHVDQGWKH8SOD\HUVZLWKVDPH
*UDGDWLRQEXWGLIIHUHQWELQGHUVLQ6DPH*URXS
modified asphalt substituting the conventional asphalt, the
enhancement of the DSs for the double-deck asphalt concrete
are the more evident than that of the DSs for the double-deck
asphalt concrete when keeping the mixtures of the Up-layers are
the same then using the modified asphalt substitute the
conventional asphalt of the Down-layers. This showed that
using the high-quality binder in asphalt concrete of the
Up-layers will develop most-effeteness than that of using the
high-quality binder in the Down-layers. However, the results in
Fig.6 showed that in the same group when keeping every
combination of the double-deck asphalt concrete in the grade
are the same, the DSs improvement for the high property binder,
MB or SVMB, used in the Up-layers and the Down-layers are
not evident than that of only the high property binder, MB or
SVMB, used in the Up-layers but the CB used in the
Down-layers .
Furthermore, as showed in Fig. 7,when in the same group
keeping the mixtures of the Down-layers and the binders of the
Up-layers are the same, only changing the fine grade in the
Up-layers into the middle grade, the DSs for the double-deck
asphalt concrete only have a limited improvement for the CB


 )LUVW*URXS




*I&%*F&% *P&%*F&% *I0%*F&% *P0%*F&% *I690%*F&% *P690%*F&%
*I690%*F&% *P&%*F&% *P690%*F&% &RPSRVLWHW\SHVRIDVSKDOWPL[WXUHV
&RPSRVLWHW\SHVRIDVSKDOWPL[WXUHV )LJXUH&RPSDULVRQRI'6IRU'RXEOHGHVN6WUXFWXUHVWKDW&RQVLVWRIWKH
6DPH0L[WXUHVIRU'RZQOD\HUVEXW'LIHUHQW*UDGDWLRQDQGVDPHELQGHUVIRU
8SOD\HUVLQ6DPH*URXS
4 SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS
z Evaluating the rutting resistance behavior of the
HMA using the results of wheel tracking test, the DSs of
the monolayer asphalt concrete are the evident large than
that of the composite double-deck layer asphalt concrete.
This state that the deformation of asphalt concrete
pavement increase with the increase of asphalt concrete
thickness and the DSs of asphalt concrete pavement
decrease with the decrease of asphalt concrete thickness.
Hence not using the DSs of the monolayer asphalt
concrete structures substitutes that of the composite
multi-layer asphalt concrete as a criterion of controlling rut
of multi-layer asphalt concrete pavement.
z However, utilizing the rutting experimental
result of the different types of monolayer asphalt concrete
structure we can build a relationship of the differently
composite multi-layers asphalt concrete structure with that
of the different types of monolayer asphalt concrete
structure to evaluate the rutting resistance behavour of
composite multi-layers asphalt concrete structure.
z The high property binder used in Up-layer of
 pavement can play the more-effective rutting resistance
behavior than used in the Down-layer of pavement.
However For all using the high property binder in the Up-
layer and the Down-layer at the same time, the rutting
resistance property of asphalt concrete structure can not
greatly get increasing at a direct proportion to the DSs of
the monolayer asphalt concrete structures . When the fine
grade in the Up-layers be substituted by the middle grade,
the DSs for the double-deck asphalt concrete can
evidently improve for the MB or the SVMB but only have
a limited improvement for the CB.
z Using the asphalt concrete structure of the CB
plus course gradation in the Down-layer of pavement,there
is a equivalent rutting resistance property but the most
cost-effective than using the asphalt concrete structure of
the MB or the SVMB plus course gradation in the
Down-layer of pavement.
References
[1] Parker Jr., F., and E. R. Brown, A Study of Rutting of Alabama Asphalt
Pavements [R],Alabama Department of Transportation,final report for
Project 2019-09, Bureau of Research and Development, Montgomery,
Alabama, November 1993.
[2] Thomas D. White, John E. Hadock, Adam J. T. Hand, Hongbing Fang,
Contributions of Pavement Structional Layers to Rutting of Hot Mix
Asphalt Pavements [R], NCHRP Report 468, Transportation Research
Board, National Academy Press, Whashington D.C-2002:1-164.
[3] Brown, S. F., and J. M. Gibb, Validation Experiments for Permanent
Deformation Testing of Bituminous Mixtures [J], Journal of the
Association of Asphalt Paving Technologists,Association of Asphalt
Paving Technologists, St. Paul, Minnesota,1996,65.
[4] Brown, E. R., and S. A. Cross. A National Study of Rutting in Hot Mix
Asphalt (HMA)Pavements (R). NCAT Report 92-05, 1992:1-38.
[5] L. Allen Cooley Jr.Prithvi S. Kandhal M. Shane Buchanan Frank Fee Amy
Epps ,Loaded Wheel Testers in the UNITED STATES: State of the
Practice[R], Transportation Research E-Circular No. E-C016, NCAT,July
2000:1-12.
[6] Chen, D.-H., J. Bilyeu, D. Walker, and M. Murphy, Study of Rut-Depth
Measurements[J],Transportation Research Record: Journal of the
Transportation Research Board, Washington, D.C., 2001,1764. 78-88.
[7] Techincal specifications for construction of highway asphalt pavements
(JTG F40-2004) [S] Publishing House of Peoples Communication,
Pejing, China, 2004:9-10, 15-21.
[8] Standard test Methods of Bitumen and Bituminous Mixtures for Highway
Engineering(JTG 052-2000) [S] Publishing House of Peoples
Communication, Pejing, China, 2000:345-351.