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Cover of National Performance-based Asphalt Specification Framework
National Performance-based Asphalt Specification Framework
  • Publication no: AP-T331-18
  • ISBN: 978-1-925671-26-1
  • Published: 19 January 2018

Part 4B of the Austroads Guide to Pavement Technology provides a recommended approach to the design and characterisation of asphalt mixes in Australia and New Zealand. However, the approach to asphalt mix design and performance characterisation varies between road agencies and may not necessarily be adequate to take full advantage of the enhanced performance characteristics that many new asphalt technologies can provide.

This project was established to identify gaps in the current Austroads approach for the design and characterisation of performance properties of asphalt mixes. The ultimate aim is to develop a harmonised national performance-based asphalt specification framework that would take full advantage of the enhanced performance characteristics of current and emerging asphalt technologies.

A concept performance-based asphalt mix design specification is proposed, including future research needs to further develop the concept specification for implementation.

  • Summary
  • 1. Introduction
    • 1.1. Background
    • 1.2. Objectives
    • 1.3. Project Scope
    • 1.4. Structure of the Report
  • 2. Literature Review
    • 2.1. Historic Development of Asphalt Mix Design Practices in Australia and New Zealand
      • 2.1.1. Background
      • 2.1.2. APRG 18
      • 2.1.3. Austroads Guide to Pavement Technology: Part 4B
      • 2.1.4. AAPA Implementation Guide IG 8 – Asphalt Mix Design
    • 2.2. Current Mix Design Specifications in Australia and New Zealand
      • 2.2.1. New South Wales
      • 2.2.2. Victoria
      • 2.2.3. Queensland
      • 2.2.4. Western Australia
      • 2.2.5. South Australia
      • 2.2.6. Tasmania
      • 2.2.7. Northern Territory
      • 2.2.8. Australian Capital Territory (ACT)
      • 2.2.9. New Zealand
      • 2.2.10. AAPA National Asphalt Specification
      • 2.2.11. AS 2150 – Hot Mix Asphalt – A Guide to Good Practice
    • 2.3. International Mix Design Practices
      • 2.3.1. North America – USA & Canada
      • 2.3.2. Europe
      • 2.3.3. Asia
      • 2.3.4. South America and South Africa
    • 2.4. Summary of Findings
  • 3. Previous Attempts at Adopting an Austroads Harmonised Asphalt Mix Design Specification Framework
    • 3.1. Background
    • 3.2. Stakeholder Consultation
      • 3.2.1. Technical Reasons Inhibiting Full Adoption of AGPT4B-07
      • 3.2.2. Commercial Reasons Inhibiting Full Adoption of AGPT4B-07
      • 3.2.3. Main Challenges to Adopting a National Performance-Based Mix Design Approach
  • 4. Proposed Concept Performance-based Specification Framework
    • 4.1. Guiding Principles
    • 4.2. Constituent Materials
      • 4.2.1. Binder Selection
      • 4.2.2. Aggregates and Mineral Filler
      • 4.2.3. Reclaimed Asphalt Pavement (RAP)
      • 4.2.4. Additives
    • 4.3. Mix Design
      • 4.3.1. Aggregate Grading
      • 4.3.2. Binder Content
      • 4.3.3. Mix Performance Criteria
    • 4.4. Selection of Performance Criteria
  • 5. Gap Analysis of Current Knowledge Base
    • 5.1. Sample Preparation
      • 5.1.1. Sample Conditioning
      • 5.1.2. Compaction Method
    • 5.2. Establishing Appropriate Performance Criteria (including Test Methods and Performance Limits)
      • 5.2.1. Workability
      • 5.2.2. Moisture Sensitivity
      • 5.2.3. Permanent Deformation
      • 5.2.4. Modulus
      • 5.2.5. Fatigue
      • 5.2.6. Permeability
      • 5.2.7. Resistance to Ravelling (Open-graded Asphalt Only)
      • 5.2.8. Asphalt Binder Drain-off (Open-graded Asphalt and SMA Only)
      • 5.2.9. Texture Depth and Skid Resistance
    • 5.3. Establishing a Link between Laboratory Tests and Field Performance
      • 5.3.1. Workability
      • 5.3.2. Moisture Sensitivity
      • 5.3.3. Permanent Deformation
      • 5.3.4. Modulus
      • 5.3.5. Fatigue
      • 5.3.6. Permeability
    • 5.4. Establishing a Link between Mix Design and Pavement Design
    • 5.5. Quality Assurance During Manufacturing and Placement
    • 5.6. Procurement and Risk-sharing Models
    • 5.7. Summary of Findings
  • 6. Proposed Research Framework
    • 6.1. Year 1 – Review Sample Preparation and Test Methods
    • 6.2. Year 2 – Establish Appropriate Performance Limits
    • 6.3. Year 3 – Finalise Performance Limits and Specification Framework
    • 6.4. Year 4+ – Implementation and Validation
  • 7. Summary and Proposed Way Forward
  • References
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