An overview of asphalt mix designs using various compactors

Abstract

Generally, road network is a well-thought-out vital transportation medium that is in place throughout the world. As, such, utmost care is taken in providing the best possible safe and comfortable and yet cost-effective road transportation system. One of the areas that scrutinized is the performance of asphalt mixtures in the flexible pavements. Traditionally, laboratory asphalt mixture designs are based on Marshall Method whereby the asphalt mixtures are compacted using a 4.5kg drop weight hammer. Although the volumetric properties are reasonably accepted, the actual achievement of the roller compacted volumetric properties at the site is still farfetched. This is because the laboratory mix designs developed using a Marshall Drop weight compactor and in the field, the asphalt layer is compacted using a heavy-duty roller. In recent years, the Superpave Gyratory Compactor (SGC) have come into play with a static load and kneading approach. This objective of this paper is to look into the existing methods and processes carrying out the asphalt mix designs and review to see if there is or are any mismatch as compared with field compaction protocol.