Date of Graduation

2008

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Type

MS

Committee Chair

John P. Zaniewski

Abstract

The Superpave mix design protocol was developed with goals of minimizing premature failures, reducing maintenance costs, and increasing pavement life. Several researchers have evaluated the various parameters controlled in AASHTO SuperPave mix design protocol, AASHTO T312 and AASHTO R30. These projects had the tendency to focus on the major parameters which affect the preparation of samples, such as the operational parameters for the SuperPave Gyratory Compactor. However, the AASHTO procedures also control a variety of other parameters which affect the preparation of the samples. In several cases, the research support for the specific requirements in the procedures is either limited in scope or non-existent The objective of this research was to evaluate variations of design parameters deemed acceptable by AASHTO mix design protocol and their effects on air void levels of asphalt concrete specimens. In this study, variations in mix temperatures, compaction temperatures, oven cure times, mold preheating times, and time to determine Bulk Specific Gravity (Gmb) values were evaluated using asphalt specimens prepared with two different aggregate types and two different binder types. The effects of the design parameters and their interactions were evaluated. The research demonstrated the voids in the total mix, VTM, is not sensitive to the parameters evaluated during this research.

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