Effect of Binder Types on Engineering Properties and Performance of Porous Asphalt Concrete

Abstract

Porous asphalt concrete (PAC) has an open-graded aggregate mixture to yield high air voids; PAC is mainly applied to the surface drainage layer on high-speed trafficked highway pavements. The objective of the study was to investigate the effect of binder types on the engineering properties and field performance of PAC mixtures. Three binder types were selected for a 19-mm nominal maximum aggregate size gradation: conventional asphalt AR-80, polymer-modified asphalt, and high-viscosity asphalt. A series of laboratory tests were conducted to evaluate the engineering properties of the PAC mixture, including permeability, resistance to draindown, resistance to disintegration, resistance to rutting, and resistance to indirect traction. A 3-km in-service test road was constructed to monitor the performance of PAC pavements using these three binders. Polymer-modified binder was shown to minimize abrasion loss and enhance the durability of the PAC mixture. Test results indicated that the use of polymer-modified binder, instead of unmodified binder, reduced rutting and raveling. When the mixture contained high-viscosity binder, it showed the best performance in the field. Field measurements indicated improved drainage as a result of replacement of the conventional asphalt AR-80 binder with the polymer-modified and high-viscosity binders. PAC pavement surfaces provided good frictional characteristics once the asphalt binder film was worn from the aggregate.

Exploratory study of porous asphalt mixtures with additions of reclaimed tetra pak material

“…The results of this research showed that Cellulose Fibers (CF) were more effective than polyester fibers for reducing draindown in PA mixtures [7], but can be more susceptible to the water effect than other types of fibers [9]. The addition of little amounts of CF, between 0.2 and 0.5% by weight of mixture, was recommended for reducing draindown problems [3], augmenting the longterm resistance to raveling and the Indirect Tensile Strength (ITS) of PA mixtures, but sacrificing part of their infiltration capacity [4,7,10,11,12].…”

A review of the characterization and evaluation of permeable friction course mixtures

“…This recommendation is coincident with that included by ASTM for the design of PFC mixtures [44]. In addition, previous studies [45] reported fabrication of PFC mixtures using low penetration-polymer modified-asphalts (i.e., 45 (1/10 mm) in Japan [45], and 48 (1/10 mm) in Taiwan [18]). Several agencies also specified asphalts with penetration values in the range of 50 to 100 (1/10 mm) [23].…”

“…Compared to the dense-graded HMA mixtures, some limitations of the PFC mixtures are related to: (i) increased (i.e., immediately after construction) initial asphalt film thickness that can reduce the surface friction [18], (ii) tendency to accumulate black ice and freeze faster and longer [19], (iii) winter maintenance (i.e., in freezing conditions) problems [19], and (iv) relatively high construction cost [20]. In addition, limited structural capacity [21] and reduced functional life (i.e., loss of permeability and noise reduction capacity due to AV clogging) [22] had been indicated as disadvantages of the PFC mixtures.…”

Incorporation of Additives and Fibers in Porous Asphalt Mixtures: A Review

“…Additives like nanosilica were shown to improve the abrasion resistance of the PAM considerably [24]. Natural fibers such as cellulose fibers are among the most commonly used fibers in PAMs as they improve the binder stability [2,25,26,27,28,29,30,31]. For low-temperature crack resistance, glass fibers can be used [32].…”

“…The type of binder is an important factor, as a high-viscosity bitumen improves the cohesion of the binder. Meanwhile, polymer-modified bitumen (PMB) improves the adhesion between aggregates and the binder [16,30,37].…”