SUPERPAVE

FHWA Condensed Superpave

Asphalt Specifications
Lecture Series

What is Superpave
Final product of the 1987-1993 FHWA Strategic
Highway Research Program to investigate better
pavement materials & design methods.
Superior Performing Asphalt Pavements = Superpave
Produced new standards for aggregates and bituminous
binders used in paving as well as mix design changes.

Aggregates

Usually refers to a soil that has in some way

been processed or sorted.

100 Aggregate Size Definitions 100

100
99
90 Nominal Maximum Aggregate Size 89
72
one size larger than the first sieve to retain 72
65
65
more than 10%
48
48

Maximum Aggregate Size

36
36
one size larger than nominal maximum
22
22
size
15
15
9
9
4
4

Percent Passing
100
max density line

restricted zone
control point

.075

.3

2.36

4.75 9.5

nom
max
size

max
size

12.5

Sieve Size (mm) Raised to 0.45 Power

19.0

Superpave Aggregate Gradation

Percent Passing
100

Design Aggregate Structure

0

.075 .3

2.36

12.5

Sieve Size (mm) Raised to 0.45 Power

19.0

Superpave Mix Size

Designations
Superpave
Designation
37.5 mm
25 mm
19 mm
12.5 mm
9.5 mm

Nom Max Size

(mm)
37.5
25
19
12.5
9.5

Max Size
(mm)
50
37.5
25
19
12.5

Gradations
* Considerations:
- Max. size < 1/2 AC lift thickness
- Larger max size
+ Increases strength
+ Improves skid resistance
+ Increases volume and surface area of agg
which decreases required AC content
+ Improves rut resistance
+ Increases problem with segregation of particles
- Smaller max size
+ Reduces segregation
+ Reduces road noise
+ Decreases tire wear

Percent Crushed Fragments in

Gravels
Quarried materials always 100% crushed
Minimum values depended upon traffic
level and layer (lift)
Defined as % mass with one or more
fractured faces

Rounded Aggregates in Pavement

Crushed face aggregates help to reduce

shear plane slides and mass deformation of
the pavement structure.

Percent Crushed Fragments in

Gravels
0% Crushed

100% with 2 or More

Crushed Faces

Coarse Aggregate Angularity

Criteria
Traffic
Depth from Surface
Millions of ESALs < 100 mm
> 100
mm
< 0.3
--/-55/-<1
--/-65/-<3
50/-75/-< 10
60/-85/80
< 30
80/75
95/90
< 100
95/90
100/100
100/100
100/100
>100
First number denotes % with one or more fractured faces
Second number denotes % with two or more fractured faces

Asphalt Cements
Background
History of Specifications

Background
Asphalt
Soluble in petroleum
products
Generally a by-product of
petroleum distillation
process
Can be naturally occurring

Tar
Resistant to
petroleum products
Generally by-product
of coke (from coal)
production

Penetration Testing
Sewing machine needle
Specified load, time, temperature

100 g

Initial

Penetration in 0.1 mm

After 5 seconds

Penetration Specification
Five Grades

40 - 50
60 - 70
85 - 100
120 - 150
200 - 300

Ductility

Typical Penetration Specifications

Penetration

40 - 50

200 - 300

Flash Point, C
Ductility, cm

450+
100+

350+
100+

Solubility, %

99.0+

99.0+

Retained Pen., %

55+

37+

Ductility, cm

NA

100+

Viscosity Graded Specifications

Types of Viscosity Tubes

Asphalt Institute Tube

Zietfuchs Cross-Arm
Tube

Table 1 Example
AC 2.5
Visc, 60C

250 + 50

Visc, 135C
Penetration

80+
200+

Visc, 60C

<1,250

Ductility

100+

AC 40
4,000 + 800
300+
20+
<20,000
10+

Penetration Grades

Viscosity, 60C (140F)

AC 40
100
50

10
5

40
50

AC 20
60
70

AC 10
85
100

AC 5
120
150

200
300

AC 2.5

Asphalt Cements

New Superpave Performance Graded Specification

PG Specifications
Fundamental properties related to
pavement performance
Environmental factors
In-service & construction temperatures
Short and long term aging

High Temperature Behavior

High in-service temperature
Desert climates
Summer temperatures

Sustained loads
Slow moving trucks
Intersections

Viscous Liquid

Pavement Behavior
(Warm Temperatures)
Permanent deformation (rutting)
Mixture is plastic
Depends on asphalt source, additives, and
aggregate properties

Permanent Deformation

Courtesy of FHWA

Function of warm weather and traffic

Low Temperature Behavior

Low Temperature
Cold climates
Winter

Rapid Loads
Fast moving trucks

Elastic Solid

Pavement Behavior
(Low Temperatures)
Thermal cracks
Stress generated by contraction due to drop in
temperature
Crack forms when thermal stresses exceed
ability of material to relieve stress through
deformation
Material is brittle

Depends on source of asphalt and aggregate

properties

Thermal Cracking

Courtesy of FHWA

Superpave Asphalt Binder Specification

The grading system is based on Climate

PG 64 - 22

Performance
Grade

Min pavement
temperature
Average 7-day max
pavement temperature

Pavement Temperatures are Calculated

Calculated by Superpave software

High temperature
20 mm below the surface of mixture

Low temperature
at surface of mixture
Pave temp = f (air temp, depth, latitude)

Concentric Cylinder Rheometers

Concentric Cylinder
Mi

R
Ri2 L

R
Ro - Ri

Dynamic Shear Rheometer (DSR)

Parallel Plate

Shear flow varies with

gap height and radius
Non-homogeneous flow

2M
R =

R3
R

R =

Short Term Binder Aging

Rolling Thin Film Oven
Simulates aging from hot mixing and construction

Pressure Aging Vessel

(Long Term Aging)
Simulates aging of an asphalt
binder for 7 to 10 years
50 gram sample is aged for 20
hours
Pressure of 2,070 kPa (300 psi)
At 90, 100 or 110 C

Bending Beam Rheometer

Deflection Transducer

Computer
Air Bearing
Load Cell

Fluid Bath

Direct Tension Test

Load
Stress = = P / A
L

Le

Strain

Summary
Construction

Rutting

Fatigue
Cracking

Low Temp
Cracking
[DTT]

[RV]

No aging

[DSR]

[BBR]
RTFO
Short Term Aging
PAV
Long Term Aging

Superpave Binder
Purchase Specification

Superpave Asphalt Binder Specification

The grading system is based on Climate

PG 64 - 22

Performance
Grade

Min pavement
temperature
Average 7-day max
pavement temperature

Performance Grades
CEC

Avg 7-day Max, oC

1-day Min, oC

PG 46

PG 52

PG 58

PG 64

PG 70

PG 76

PG 82

-34 -40 -46 -10 -16 -22 -28 -34 -40 -46 -16 -22 -28 -34 -40 -10 -16 -22 -28 -34 -40 -10 -16 -22 -28 -34 -40 -10 -16 -22 -28 -34 -10 -16 -22
-28 -34

ORIGINAL
> 230 oC

(Flash Point)
(Rotational Viscosity)

< 3 Pa.s @ 135 oC

(Dynamic Shear Rheometer)

> 1.00 kPa

46

52

52

90

10

25

22

m > 0.300

19

16

13

10

100

25

22

16

13

-6

Report Value

-12 -18 -24 -30 -36

-6 -12 -18 -24 -30

31

(Bending Beam Rheometer)

> 1.00 %

(Direct Tension)
-24 -30 -36
-18 -24

-6

-12 -18 -24 -30 -36 -6

-12 -18 -24 -30

76

82

PAV
100 (110)

110 (110)

DSR G* sin

( Bending Beam Rheometer)

-24 -30 -36
-18 -24

70

100 (110)

19

82

Mass Loss < 1.00 %

64

(Dynamic Shear Rheometer)

< 5000 kPa

S < 300 MPa

100

76

DSR G*/sin

58

90

70

RTFO

(PRESSURE AGING VESSEL)

20 Hours, 2.07 MPa

DSR G*/sin
64

(Dynamic Shear Rheometer)

46

RV

58

(ROLLING THIN FILM OVEN)

> 2.20 kPa

FP

28

25 22

19

16

34

31

BBR S Stiffness
-6 -12 -18 -24 -30

BBR

-6

28

25

22

19

37

34

31 28

25

40

37 28
34

& m- value
-12 -18 -24 -30

-6

-12 -18 -24

-6

-12

-6

-12 -18 -24

-6 -12

Physical Hardening

DT
-6

-12 -18 -24 -30

-6 -12 -18 -24 -30

31

How the PG Spec Works

CEC

Spec Requirement
1-day Min, C
Remains Constant

Avg 7-day Max, oC

o

PG 46

PG 52

PG 58

PG 64

PG 76

PG 82

-34 -40 -46 -10 -16 -22 -28 -34 -40 -46 -16 -22 -28 -34 -40 -10 -16 -22 -28 -34 -40 -10 -16 -22 -28 -34 -40 -10 -16 -22 -28 -34 -10 -16 -22
-28 -34

ORIGINAL

> 230 oC

(Flash Point)
(Rotational Viscosity)

< 3 Pa.s @ 135 oC

(Dynamic Shear Rheometer)

> 1.00 kPa

46

5858

52

46

52

90

90

100

25

22

m > 0.300

19

16

13

10

100

25

22

19

16

13

-6

Report Value

-12 -18 -24 -30 -36

-6 -12 -18 -24 -30

31

(Direct Tension)
-24 -30 -36
-18 -24

-6

-12 -18 -24 -30 -36 -6

-12 -18 -24 -30

82

70

76

82

PAV
100 (110)

110 (110)

DSR G* sin

(Bending Beam Rheometer)

> 1.00 %

76

Mass Loss < 1.00 %

100 (110)

( Bending Beam Rheometer)

-24 -30 -36
-18 -24

70

64

(Dynamic Shear Rheometer)

64

58

Test Temperature
< 5000 kPa
Changes
10

DSR G*/sin

DSR G*/sin

(PRESSURE AGING VESSEL)

20 Hours, 2.07 MPa

RV

RTFO

(Dynamic Shear Rheometer)

> 2.20 kPa

FP

64

(ROLLING THIN FILM OVEN)

S < 300 MPa

PG 70

28

25 22

19

16

34

31

BBR S Stiffness
-6 -12 -18 -24 -30

BBR

-6

28

25

22

19

37

34

31 28

25

40

37 28
34

& m- value
-12 -18 -24 -30

-6

-12 -18 -24

-6

-12

-6

-12 -18 -24

-6 -12

Physical Hardening

DT
-6

-12 -18 -24 -30

-6 -12 -18 -24 -30

31

PG Binder Selection
PG 52-28

PG 58-22

> Many agencies have

established zones

PG 58-16

PG 64-10

Summary of How to Use

PG Specification
Determine
7-day max pavement temperatures
1-day minimum pavement temperature

Use specification tables to select test

temperatures
Determine asphalt cement properties
and compare to specification limits

Asphalt Concrete Mix

Design
History

Hot Mix Asphalt Concrete

(HMA)
Mix Designs

Objective:

Develop an economical blend of aggregates and

asphalt that meet design requirements

Historical mix design methods

Marshall
Hveem

New
Superpave gyratory

Requirements in Common
Sufficient asphalt to ensure a durable pavement
Sufficient stability under traffic loads
Sufficient air voids
Upper limit to prevent excessive environmental
damage
Lower limit to allow room for initial densification due
to traffic

Sufficient workability

MARSHALL
MIX
DESIGN

Marshall Mix Design

Developed by Bruce Marshall for the
Mississippi Highway Department in the late
30s
WES began to study it in 1943 for WWII
Evaluated compaction effort
No. of blows, foot design, etc.
Decided on 10 lb.. Hammer, 50 blows/side
4% voids after traffic

Initial criteria were established and upgraded

for increased tire pressures and loads

Marshall Mix Design

Select and test aggregate
Select and test asphalt cement
Establish mixing and compaction
temperatures

Develop trial blends

Heat and mix asphalt cement and
aggregates
Compact specimen (100 mm diameter)

Marshall Design Criteria

Light Traffic
ESAL < 104
Compaction
Stability N (lb.)

Medium Traffic
10 4 < ESAL< 10

Heavy Traffic
ESAL > 106

35

50

75

3336 (750)

5338 (1200)

8006 (1800)

Flow, 0.25 mm (0.1 in)

8 to 18

8 to 16

8 to 14

Air Voids, %

3 to 5

3 to 5

3 to 5

Voids in Mineral Agg.

(VMA)

Varies with aggregate size

Asphalt Concrete Mix

Design
Superpave

Superpave Volumetric Mix

Design
Goals
Compaction method which simulates field
conditions
Accommodates large size aggregates
Measure of compactibility
Able to use in field labs
Address durability issues
Film thickness
Environmental

Compaction
Key Components of Gyratory Compactor
height
measurement
reaction
frame

tilt bar

rotating
base

control and data

acquisition panel

loading
ram
mold

Compaction
Gyratory compactor
Axial and shearing action
150 mm diameter molds (6 vs. 4 Marshall)
Aggregate size up to 37.5 mm
Height measurement during compaction
Allows densification during compaction to be
evaluated
Ram pressure
600 kPa

1.25o

Three Points on SGC

Curve
% Gmm
Ndes

Nmax

Nini

10

100
Log Gyrations

1000

SGC Critical Point Comparison

%Gmm= Gmb / Gmm
Gmb = Bulk Mix Specific Gravity from compaction at
N cycles
Gmm = Max. Theoretical Specific Gravity
Compare to allowable values at:
NINI : %Gmm < 89%
NDES: %Gmm < 96%
NMAX: %Gmm < 98%

Design Compaction
% Gmm

Nmax

Ndes based on

average design high air

temp
traffic level

Log Nmax = 1.10 Log Ndes

Log Nini = 0.45 Log Ndes

Ndes
Nini
10

100

1000

Log Gyrations

Superpave Testing
Specimen heights
Mixture volumetrics

Air voids
Voids in mineral aggregate (VMA)
Voids filled with asphalt (VFA)
Mixture density characteristics

Dust proportion
Moisture sensitivity

Superpave Mix Design

Determine mix properties at NDesign and compare to
criteria

Air voids

4% (or 96% Gmm)

VMA
See table
VFA
See table
%Gmm at Nini
< 89%

%Gmm at NDES
%Gmmat Nmax
Dust proportion

< 96%
< 98%
0.6 to 1.2

Superpave Mix Design

Gyratory Compaction Criteria