ASPHALT RESEARCH CONSORTIUM

An FHWA Research Program Comprising Western Research Institute, Texas A&M University, University of Wisconsin-Madison, University of Nevada-Reno and Advanced Asphalt Technologies.

Asphalt Research Correspondent

This issue highlights the work of Asphalt Research Consortium members University of Nevada-Reno and University of Wisconsin-Madison. Overall objectives, strategic plan, and work plans of the Asphalt Research Consortium are available on our website at: www.arc.unr.edu.

 

 

 

   

Vol 3   Issue 1   March 2009

Above Image:  ARC researchers consider loading and temperature in designing models for optimal asphalt mixes.

 

New ARC

Specifications, Tests and Models Give Greater

Insight into

Transportation

Materials

New Methods

to Predict Rutting in Asphalt Pavements

 

When hot-mix asphalt (HMA) pavements reach critical temperatures, rutting increases significantly. Therefore, developing the most accurate methods to predict rutting requires determining the stress state (rate of loading + temperature) to include in pavement models, then duplicating the stress state in laboratory testing.  As part of the ARC work on Critically Designed HMA Mixtures, the University of Nevada-Reno research team is investigating methods to precisely mimic the state of stresses in the field under laboratory testing conditions.

Click here to read the technical briefing.

 

New Test Methods

to Measure the Performance Properties of Emulsions

Emulsified asphalts can play a big role in pavement management and reducing the environmental impacts of new construction. As industry and state agencies put green initiatives into practice, advanced specifications and test methods are needed to enhance the reliability of emulsions in surface treatments and cold-mix designs.

ARC researchers of the University of Wisconsin–Madison and the University of Nevada, Reno are conducting laboratory evaluations of emulsions to determine the causes of construction problems.  To determine the causes of in-service problems, they are evaluating residues of emulsions. Their goal is to develop specifications and tests that contribute to optimum pavement performance by taking into account climate, traffic and surface conditions. 

Click here to read the technical briefing.

 

RAP and Warm Mix to be Features of New ARC Canadian Comparative Pavement Sites

The ARC is teaming up with Manitoba Infrastructure and Transportation (I&T) to build the first comparative pavement performance sites outside the United States.  One site is on provincial highway 14 between Plum Coulee and Winkler in Manitoba, Canada. The other is on provincial highway 8 between Gimli and Hnausa, Manitoba.  Construction is expected to begin this summer.

 

Amit Bhasin Takes ARC Research

to the University of Texas

The official Asphalt Research Consortium partners are those listed on the Asphalt Research Correspondent banner above. Another, less publicized partner is the University of Texas at Austin. Dr. Amit Bhasin started with the ARC at Texas A&M, and when he made the move to the University of Texas as an assistant professor of civil engineering, it was agreed that he would continue his research in coordination with the Texas A&M Zachry Department of Civil Engineering.  At UT, Dr. Bhasin focuses on the characterization of fundamental properties of pavement materials and the mechanistic modeling of moisture damage, fatigue cracking, and self healing in asphalt mixtures. For more about the individuals and organizations that make up the ARC team, click here.  ARC

   

 

 

Amit Bhasin, ARC researcher.

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