Effects of aggregate gradation on asphalt mixture cracking and rutting: From laboratory testing to pavement-level modeling

IF 8.9 1区工程技术 Q1 CONSTRUCTION & BUILDING TECHNOLOGY

Construction and Building Materials Pub Date : 2026-04-11 Epub Date: 2026-03-10 DOI:10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2026.145884

Mohammad Sadeghi , Zane Hartzog , Nam Tran

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Aggregate gradation adjustment remains underutilized in Balanced Mix Design (BMD) practice because limited systematic guidance exists on how gradation changes influence both cracking and rutting performance of asphalt mixtures. This study evaluates the effect of aggregate gradation on asphalt mixture performance while isolating its influence from other key design variables. Seven dense-graded mixtures were produced by varying virgin aggregate proportions within specification limits while holding asphalt binder content, nominal maximum aggregate size, and reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP) content constant. Performance was characterized using IDEAL-CT, High-Temperature Indirect Tensile (HT-IDT), Hamburg Wheel Tracking (HWTT), and AMPT-based dynamic modulus, cyclic fatigue, and stress sweep rutting (SSR) tests. Pavement-level performance was assessed using FlexPAVE™ modeling. CT_Index consistently improved with coarser gradations and showed strong correlations with gradation-based parameters. Although HT-IDT indicated reduced high-temperature strength for coarser mixtures, HWTT results demonstrated that selected coarse gradations maintained comparable rutting resistance to the control mixture. Dynamic modulus and phase angle results revealed similar stiffness and viscoelastic response between the control (Fine 3) and the selected coarse mixture (Coarse 2), with Coarse 2 exhibiting a slightly lower Glover-Rowe parameter. Fatigue performance (D^R and S_app) and SSR-derived rutting susceptibility (RSI) were also comparable. FlexPAVE™ v2.2 predictions showed slightly higher percent damage, surface cracking, and rut depth for Coarse 2; however, reliability-based damage and cracking envelopes overlapped, and statistical testing indicated no significant differences. Overall, coarse gradation adjustments enhanced IDEAL-CT cracking resistance without substantially degrading rutting performance or predicted pavement-level distress, supporting aggregate gradation as a viable BMD design variable.

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骨料级配对沥青混合料开裂和车辙的影响：从实验室测试到路面水平模型

骨料级配调整在平衡配合比设计（BMD）实践中仍未得到充分利用，因为关于级配变化如何影响沥青混合料的开裂和车辙性能的系统指导有限。本研究评估了骨料级配对沥青混合料性能的影响，同时将其与其他关键设计变量的影响隔离开来。在保持沥青粘结剂含量、标称最大骨料尺寸和再生沥青路面（RAP）含量不变的情况下，在规范范围内通过不同的原始骨料比例生产出7种致密级配混合物。通过IDEAL-CT、高温间接拉伸（HT-IDT）、汉堡车轮跟踪（HWTT）和基于ampt的动态模量、循环疲劳和应力扫描车辙（SSR）测试对性能进行了表征。使用FlexPAVE™建模对路面级性能进行评估。CTIndex在较粗的分级中持续提高，并与基于分级的参数表现出很强的相关性。尽管HT-IDT表明较粗混合物的高温强度降低，但HWTT结果表明，选定的粗级配与对照混合物保持相当的抗车辙性。动态模量和相角结果显示，控制（Fine 3）和选定的粗混合物（粗2）之间的刚度和粘弹性响应相似，粗2的Glover-Rowe参数略低。疲劳性能（DR和Sapp）和ssr衍生的车辙敏感性（RSI）也具有可比性。FlexPAVE™v2.2预测显示，粗2的损坏、表面开裂和车辙深度百分比略高；然而，基于可靠性的损伤和破裂信封重叠，统计测试表明没有显著差异。总体而言，粗级配调整增强了IDEAL-CT的抗裂性，而不会显著降低车辙性能或预测路面水平的压力，支持骨料级配作为可行的BMD设计变量。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

Construction and Building Materials 工程技术-材料科学：综合

CiteScore

13.80

自引率

21.60%

发文量

3632

审稿时长

82 days

期刊介绍： Construction and Building Materials offers an international platform for sharing innovative and original research and development in the realm of construction and building materials, along with their practical applications in new projects and repair practices. The journal publishes a diverse array of pioneering research and application papers, detailing laboratory investigations and, to a limited extent, numerical analyses or reports on full-scale projects. Multi-part papers are discouraged. Additionally, Construction and Building Materials features comprehensive case studies and insightful review articles that contribute to new insights in the field. Our focus is on papers related to construction materials, excluding those on structural engineering, geotechnics, and unbound highway layers. Covered materials and technologies encompass cement, concrete reinforcement, bricks and mortars, additives, corrosion technology, ceramics, timber, steel, polymers, glass fibers, recycled materials, bamboo, rammed earth, non-conventional building materials, bituminous materials, and applications in railway materials.