Performance graded asphalt binders - superpave

The extensive Strategic Highways Research Program, completed in the United States in 1993, concluded in performance graded (PG) specifications for bitumens (asphalt binders) known as Superpave (superior performing pavements) specification. These specifications were first introduced by Asphalt Institute (Asphalt Institute SP-1) and soon became an AASHTO standard (AASHTO M 320) and ASTM standard (ASTM D 6373 2007). 

The grading designations are related to the high pavement design temperature at a depth 20 mm below the pavement surface and the low pavement design temperature at the pavement surface. 

More details for calculating the above temperatures can be found in an example given in Asphalt Institute (2003). A Superpave computer program that performs all these calculations based on minimal user input is provided and may also be used. 

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Asphalt Institute SP-1.2003. Superpave Performance Graded Asphalt, Binder Specification and Testing, 3rd Edition. Lexington, KY Asphalt Institute. 

This section summarises the tests required by ASTM 6373 (2007) or AASHTO M 320 (2010) for performance-graded bituminous binders, also known as Superpave tests (Asphalt Institute SP-1 2003). 

The term asphalt binder has been utilised in the Superpave mix design method to classify the grade of asphalt cement used in an asphalt mix based on expected performance under specific environmental conditions and anticipated traffic loading. Asphalt binder according to ASTM D 8 (2013) is an asphalt which may or may not contain an asphalt modifier . 

The Superpave asphalt mix design system includes the performance grade (PG) asphalt binder specification. The Superpave asphalt binder tests try to determine physical properties that can be directly related to field performance in terms of ratting, fatigue cracking and low temperature cracking. Superpave characterizes asphalt at the actual pavement temperatures it will experience, and at the periods of time when distresses are most likely to occur. A part of the Superpave binder specification is... 

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