Characteristics of aggregate gradation, drain down and stabilizing agents in stone matrix asphalt mixtures: A state of art review

Durability behavior of asphalt mixtures in regard to material properties and gradation type

“…Furthermore, it is beneficial to adjust the gradation composition of the aggregate to improve the performance of asphalt pavements while not changing the source and type of aggregate (Park et al, 2022). HMA mixtures are classified into five main categories based on gradation: stone matrix asphalt (SMA), stone asphalt concrete (SAC), large stone asphalt (LSA), superior performing asphalt pavements (Superpave), and conventional dense-graded asphalt concrete (AC) (Fang et al, 2019;Ferreira et al, 2020;Khasawneh and Alsheyab, 2020;Devulapalli et al, 2022).…”

“…A typical SMA composition consists of 70%-80% coarse aggregate, 8%-12% filler, 6.0%-7.0% binder, and 0.3% fibers. Engineering practices in Europe have proven SMA to be more durable and resistant to rutting than dense-graded mixes (Mogawer and Stuart, 1994;Mokhtari and Nejad, 2012;Devulapalli et al, 2022).…”

“…Many scholars have studied the influence of characteristics, gradation, and nominal maximum size of aggregate on the mechanical behavior and engineering performance of mixtures using methods based on different theories. Most findings indicated that the aggregate gradation has a significant impact on the resistance to rutting and permanent deformation of asphalt pavements (Kandhal and Mallick, 2001;Ferreira et al, 2020;Khasawneh and Alsheyab, 2020;Lira et al, 2021;Zhu et al, 2021;Devulapalli et al, 2022;Park et al, 2022).…”

“…However, previous studies have focused on a specific gradation type, such as dense-graded asphalt concrete (DGAC), stone matrix asphalt (SMA), and asphalt-treated base (ATB), and mainly vary the aggregate gradations by varying the proportion of different sizes of aggregates through different calculation methods (Zhu et al, 2021;Devulapalli et al, 2022). Little attention has been paid to the differences between the performance of mixtures composed of different gradation types and nominal maximum aggregate sizes when their properties, specifications, and sources are the same.…”

Impacts of Aggregate Gradation on the Volumetric Parameters and Rutting Performance of Asphalt Concrete Mixtures

“…Sun et al [ 20 ] evaluated the skeleton contact stability of a graded aggregate system and analyzed the slip creep properties of asphalt mixture from the geometric characteristics of aggregates. Devulapalli et al [ 21 ] summarized the concerns in the SMA mixtures and gave knowledge about the gradation, stone-on-stone contact, drain down, and stabilizing agents based on a detailed literature review.…”