HOT MIX ASPHALT FOR HIGH STRESS APPLICATIONS

Hot Mix Asphalt (HMA) is used as a pavement surface for all types of traffic applications. One of the most important requirements for good mix performance is rut resistance. Ruts may occur in the HMA if the mixture is improperly designed or constructed. For given weather conditions, there are two main factors which affect rutting. The first factor is the number of heavily loaded trucks: the more trucks, the more resistance to rutting is required. The second factor is the speed of traffic: pavements carrying slow moving or stopped traffic require more rut resistance than pavements carrying fast moving traffic. Therefore, asphalt mixes used in intersections, bus stops, and toll booths must meet the demands of traffic weight, speed, and volume. The purpose of this document is to provide guidance for matching HMA properties to the intended use.