Abstract
With the current trend toward using Superpave for asphalt mixture design, a study was carried out to assess the possibility of implementing the Superpave mix design procedure for use in airfield. The results were reported in this paper, which begins with a review on the primary differences in the Superpave and Marshall methods. Following this, four asphalt mixtures corresponding to different maximum aggregate particle size (MAPS) are designed by the Superpave mix design procedure, and the normally used medium gradation mixture for each MAPS is designed by the Marshall method. Then, the Superpave mixtures are quantitatively assessed in rutting resistance by wheel tracking tests compared with the Marshall-designed medium gradation mixtures. Results indicate that the Superpave mixtures give superior rutting resistance to Marshall mixtures. So it is preliminarily concluded that the Superpave mix design method offers a promise for use in heavy-duty pavements in airfield instead of Marshall method.
