Tools to Improve the Durability of Asphalt Pavements

Status: Active
Project Start Date: No Date

Summary:

In recent years, a number of new construction technologies, new asphalt materials, and new methods to control pavement temperatures have emerged as potential tools to improve the durability of asphalt materials. For example, warm mix asphalt (WMA) mixtures require lower mixing and compaction temperatures, which lower the emissions generated at the mixing plant, and at the same time, reduce the short-term aging of asphalt materials, and therefore increase their resistance to thermal cracking. Also, it has been shown that the addition of various amounts of polymer modifiers can increase the cracking resistance. A number of new materials, some based on bio-binders, have shown a reduction in the heat absorption of the pavement surface, which can reduce long term aging and increase the durability of pavements, while at the same time reducing the heat island effects that have a negative effect on people living in urban areas. In addition, studies have shown, including current studies at University of Minnesota, that tree shade can have a significant effect on pavement temperature, and therefore the durability of pavement.