Evaluation of the Performance of Asphalt Mixes for Airport Pavements

This paper summarizes the results of a research study that was conducted to evaluate the effects of asphalt binder and aggregate gradation on the rutting and cracking resistance of asphalt mixtures used in construction of airport pavements. Different asphalt binders were considered, including polymer-modified asphalt binders, a highly polymer modified binder (HiMA), and a ground tire rubber (GTR)-modified binder. In addition, Bailey method was employed to select the aggregate gradation for optimal rutting resistance. A comprehensive laboratory testing program was performed on the considered airport asphalt mixes, which included conducting the flow number, asphalt pavement analyzer (APA), Hamburg wheel-tracking device (HWTD), indirect tensile strength (ITS), and semicircular bending (SCB) tests. Statistical analysis was conducted on the test results to provide ranking of the evaluated mixtures. The results indicated that Bailey method was effective in improving the rutting resistance of the considered airport asphalt mixes. Furthermore, the asphalt binder type had a significant effect on the rutting and cracking resistance of considered airport asphalt mixes.