Unwanted Legacy of Asphalt Pavement Compaction

Abstract

Compaction of the asphalt mix is that part of the construction process largely responsible for the structural properties and performance of the pavement. By increasing density and reducing air voids, compaction adds strength and resistance to deformation, impermeability, and aging. Problems experienced in compacting asphalt mixes have generally been assigned to the mix. Roller checking, a legacy of compaction with steel rollers, has been disregarded or considered as irrelevant. Compaction with a new concept, the asphalt multi‐integrated roller (AMIR), avoids roller checking, as demonstrated by a series of side‐by‐side field tests with steel rollers. It is shown that pneumatic‐rubber tire rollers will not cure these roller‐checking cracks. Laboratory tests on cores taken from field trials demonstrate that AMIR compaction is more uniform across the pavement. The short‐falls or legacy of steel‐wheel roller compaction involves the early appearance of partial transverse cracks at the pavement edges and centerline, and wheel track cracking. The addition of AMIR‐compacted pavements to the population is expected to substantially reduce this unwanted legacy.