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Improving the Performance-Graded Asphalt Binder Specification

Project Summary

The performance-graded (PG) asphalt binder specification was a significant improvement over the penetration and viscosity based specifications. Since its development—and particularly during recent years—it has become evident that additives, refining waste products, and refining practices can be modified to produce a binder that meets these specifications but does not necessarily result in adequate performance. There is an urgent need to improve the PG specification in order to make it a more robust and accurate indicator of field performance. The proposed work plan captures a wide assortment of binders including (i) binders from existing field sections with good and poor performance, (ii) binders sampled directly from the producers as well as binders artificially blended in the laboratory such that they meet the current PG spec but may contain undesirable additives, and (iii) binders sampled from new construction projects with and without recycled materials in the mix design. The researchers will evaluate all sampled binders using current methods at appropriate aging conditions as well as new test methods that have shown promise to serve as better performance indicators. Field and laboratory mixture performance data as well as a round-robin study are used to evaluate and recommend the most suitable candidate for potential implementation.

Project Number

0-6925

Status

Completed

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