Effect of Compaction Mode on the Mechanical Performance and Variability of Asphalt Mixtures

Abstract

This paper investigates the relationship between mode of asphalt mixture compaction and resulting mechanical performance in terms of stiffness modulus, permanent deformation and fatigue resistance. Four modes, comprising three laboratory methods of gyratory, vibratory, and roller compaction together with site compaction were included in the study. An interlaboratory program was undertaken using these compaction methods and three asphalt mixture designs. The results showed that mold based compaction methods, such as gyratory and vibratory, generally produce stiffer specimens with higher resistance to permanent deformation when compared to roller compacted or field specimens of comparable air voids. However, the results also showed significant variability within a particular compaction method between different laboratories. The statistical two-sample