Semester

Spring

Date of Graduation

2004

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Type

MS

College

Statler College of Engineering and Mineral Resources

Department

Civil and Environmental Engineering

Committee Chair

John P. Zaniewski.

Abstract

The Compacted Aggregate Resistance (CAR) test is a procedure used to analyze the quality of asphalt. It is a punch shear test that indirectly measures the shape and angularity of fine aggregates. The CAR test is in the developing process of replacing the current Superpave standard for fine aggregate angularity.;The primary objective of this paper is to determine if there is a direct correlation between the results from the CAR test and the quality of asphalt that corresponds to the results from an Asphalt Pavement Analyzer. Currently, there has been good quality Hot Mix Asphalt (HMA) that cannot pass the Superpave criteria for fine aggregate angularity. The goal of the CAR test is provide laboratory results to the quality of asphalt in the field. Field testing is not feasible for this research project; therefore an Asphalt Pavement Analyzer (APA) is used to determine the quality of the asphalt by the depth of the ruts it forms.;It was found that the CAR test results correspond with the rut potential of the specimens. The CAR test results distinguish between blend gradations, whereas the Fine Aggregate Angularity test is determined by a predetermined gradation. The research concludes that with further refinement, the CAR test can be a useful tool for determining fine aggregate shape and angularity.

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