Compaction Of Asphalt Concrete Pavements

This synthesis will be of interest to construction and materials engineers, paving contractors, equipment manufacturers, and others who are involved in assessing the performance of asphalt pavements. Information is presented on various issues related to compaction of asphalt pavements. Compaction is one of the most important factors affecting the performance of asphalt pavements. This report of the Transportation Research Board describes the theory, methods, equipment, and specifications related to the compaction of asphalt pavements. A brief history of, the importance of, and factors affecting compaction are also discussed. Construction influences, density measurements, and trends are also considered.

This report is a collection of information from published research and from informal reports of methods and procedures. It was prepared by the HRB Committee on Flexible Pavement Construction. a subcommittee was formed to organize a conference---held during HRBs 48th annual meeting---on compaction. The material in the report is confined to hot- mix asphalt pavements.

The manual is intended to provide information for the quality control of hot-mix asphalt pavements. Although emphasis is placed on the duties and responsibilities of asphalt inspectors, good quality control procedures must also involve other personnel who should understand quality control procedures and efficient plant and paving practices. The manual also details all aspects of hot-mix asphalt pavement construction from the initial acceptance of the aggregate and asphalt to the laying and compaction.

This synthesis will be of interest to state DOT construction, materials, statistical, specification, and inspection engineers; DOT research staff; pavement construction material suppliers; highway construction contractors; and civil engineering consulting firms, including field and laboratory materials testing personnel. The synthesis describes the state of the practice for defining and measuring variability in highway pavement construction. Data obtained from a review of the literature, a survey of state departments of transportation (DOTs), and discussions with selected state DOT personnel and private materials producers are presented. This report of the Transportation Research Board defines several measures of variability but concentrates on the use of standard deviation as the usual measure of variability. The synthesis updates reported typical variabilities found in materials and construction specifications. Also included are discussions of current research activities as related to variability, how variability can be used in the development of specification limits, the use of incentives and disincentives in specifications, and the need for additional information on the variability of several materials and construction processes.