Hot-mix asphalt compaction evaluation with field tests

Abstract

The objective of this study is to determine the influence of field compaction conditions on hot-mix asphalt layers compaction. A large field test was carried out to assess the compaction degree variation under field conditions such as the type of layer, the temperature and the roller (weight and compaction mode). Compaction evolution with roller passes of two asphalt layers was assessed in-situ with a nuclear and a non-nuclear measurement device. The analysis of the compaction results with regression models showed that the temperature, the roller weight and the asphalt mixture are the most influential and that the frequency, for all dynamic compaction modes, is not relevant. Finishing compaction increases layer’s compaction degree up to 2%. The two different density gauges used in this study measured different compaction degree values.