Open Graded Friction Courses Performance in California

Description

Open Graded Friction Courses Performance in California

Jose Medina, Linda Pierce, Jeff Stempihar

ABSTRACT

California was among the first states in the U.S. to adopt the use of rubberized hot mix asphalt (RHMA) mixes. The more predominant RHMA mix types used by Caltrans include gap-graded (RHMA-G) and open-graded (RHMA-O). Open-graded mixes (e.g., RHMA-O) are used to attenuate vehicle tire-pavement noise in urban areas, to reduce tire splash and spray, and to improve friction. The objective of this study was to evaluate factors that may influence performance (e.g., truck-traffic level, layer thickness, region, pre-construction pavement condition, pavement age) using a multi-factor statistical analysis, and to develop performance curves from historical pavement condition data to compare between factors that influence RHMA-O performance. From the statistical analysis, thickness, traffic, region, and milling were found to be significant. Performance curves showed that the estimated service life of RHMA-O can range from 9.5 years to 14.5 years depending on the factors and locations of the overlays.

KEYWORDS: OGFC, Rubberized Asphalt Concrete, RHMA, Performance, Statistical Analysis, California, Caltrans.