Laboratory evaluation of the effect of compaction method and compaction work on the performance of SMA-13 mixture

Abstract

The influence of compaction methods such as the Marshall compaction method (MCM), vibration compaction method (VCM) and gyration compaction method (GCM), on the performance of stone mastic asphalt (SMA-13) mixture has yet to be explored. Therefore, to compare the influences of compaction methods and work on the physical and mechanical properties of SMA-13 mixture, the volume parameters, mechanical properties, and gradation changes of SMA-13 mixture specimens prepared under different vibration compaction times, Marshall double-compaction numbers, and gyration compaction numbers were studied. The compaction method for SMA-13 mixture design was also proposed under the principle of optimum properties. Results demonstrate that the asphalt aggregate ratio and compaction work directly affect the volumetric properties (VV, VFA, and VMA) of asphalt mixture specimens while the raw material and mineral aggregate gradation were fixed. The influence of compaction work on physical properties is greater than that of asphalt aggregate ratio. The mechanical strength of VCM and GCM specimens is higher than that of MCM specimens under the same compaction work and the optimum asphalt aggregate ratio. With the increase in compaction work, the mechanical properties of SMA-13 mixture are improved at the same compaction method and the optimum asphalt aggregate ratio. The aggregate gradation of the SMA-13 mixture before and after compacted using VCM and GCM changes minimally compared with that of the SMA-13 mixture compacted by MCM. Thus, the compaction methods of VCM65 and GCM130 were recommended for SMA-13 mixture design.

Influence of Compaction, Gradations, and Stress Levels on Fatigue Performance of SMA-13 Mixtures

“…erefore, the compaction method plays a key role in the internal aggregate positioning and arrangement of SMA-13 mixture and the VTM is more conducive to the rearrangement of internal aggregates and the formation of stable structure than SGC and MCM [32].…”

“…e microdamage gradually accumulates and expands under the action of repeated stress, resulting in the structural damage of mixture. Compared with the SMA-13 mixture compacted by the Marshall and SGC methods, the air voids of the SMA-13 mixture compacted by the VTM method was reduced by approximately 30%, which can decrease the local heterogeneity of the material microstructure and is conducive to improving the fatigue was reduced by 20% under the same repeated stress, and the fatigue resistance of the mixture was significantly improved [32].…”

Research on the Rolling Process of SMA-13 Asphalt Surface Layer for Bridge Decks Based on Compaction and Skid Resistance Equilibrium Problems

“…For 4 cm SMA pavements on bridge decks, vibratory compaction tends to crush the aggregate, destroy the integrity of the surface coarse aggregate, result in a loose mixture and reduced compaction, and increase the vertical vibration of the bridge deck and the longitudinal pushing of the pavement, resulting in bond failure at the paving layer interface and damaging the levelness [3]. For the bridge itself, it can increase the vertical vibration of the deck, which can seriously cause internal damage to the bridge structure and reduce bridge safety [4].…”