Using the Asphalt Pavement Analyzer as a Mixture Performance Test to Select Appropriate Binder Grades for Airport Pavements

Abstract

In this study, the Asphalt Pavement Analyzer (APA) was investigated for its ability to detect asphalt paving mixtures designed for airfields that may be prone to rutting. The objective of this study is to evaluate acceptance criteria for the APA tests for asphalt mixtures prepared using unmodified and modified binders. Six aggregate combinations, each with six different binders, comprised the mixtures used in this study. The binders included two different base performance grades (PGs), each with two levels of modification. Based on the results of this study, the APA is recommended as a rutting performance test for airport asphalt mixture design. The test was selected for recommendation based on its ability to differentiate between and rank mixture performance measures and to identify significant improvement when modified binders are used in the design mix.