Behavior of high-modulus asphalt mixtures from the perspective of deformation characteristics (stiffness)

Abstract

High modulus asphalt concrete (HMAC) presents a concept of an asphalt mixture with advanced performance which is suitable mainly for heavy loaded pavement structures. The mix concept was developed more than 25 years ago in France and became a standard in many countries. In the Czech Republic this type of asphalt mixtures is used since the early years of this millennium, when original technical requirements have been set. After almost 20 years a volunteer technical assessment started to validate whether the technical requirement set mainly for stiffness values and partly also for flexural strength or resistance to crack propagation are still up-to-date or if some reasonable modification is needed like was done several years ago in France when high modulus asphalt concrete of so called EME II or GP5 generation were brought to the practice. Based on this a study with focus on stiffness determination for more than 40 different HMACs was started. The stiffness was tested at different temperatures. At the same time virgin and aged asphalt mixtures were compared. Results from this study are presented by the paper.