Data Mining Statewide Department of Transportation Volumetrically Designed Asphalt Mixture Records

Abstract

In recent years, the asphalt paving industry has been strained by numerous factors including increased asphalt binder costs, funding that has not kept up with material costs, increased societal pressure to recycle, and deteriorating pavement networks. Mix design should account for the market in which it is used, which is very different now than when today’s volumetric mix design practices were developed (many of the aforementioned factors were less present). Given this reality, a statewide database of all 1,452 approved mix designs in Mississippi from 2005 to 2018 was compiled and analyzed, and the objective of this paper is to present findings, trends, and unintended consequences of exclusive reliance on volumetrics. With volumetrics-only mix design, asphalt content is primarily controlled by voids in mineral aggregate (VMA), which is influenced by aggregate bulk specific gravity (Gsb). Minor Gsb deviations (i.e., within AASHTO d2 s limits), can significantly affect VMA, so much so that 99% of Mississippi’s mixes could be failing VMA while reported VMA passes. This allows mix manipulation and economization, with 0.8% asphalt content reductions possible while still meeting volumetric requirements. Recycled materials can exacerbate this issue, and common approaches to increase asphalt content (decreasing design gyration level or using finer gradations) are ineffective with fixed VMA requirements. Overall, the mix design database analysis agrees with numerous smaller studies but does so with an entire state’s actual practice. This presents a compelling case that volumetrics-only mix design has limitations, and supports ongoing efforts to reintegrate mechanical tests.