Development and validation of performance prediction models and specifications for asphalt binders and paving mixing.

The objectives of SHRP's asphalt research were: to extend the life or reduce the life cycle costs of asphalt pavements; to reduce maintenance costs; and to minimize the number of premature failures. An important result of this research effort is the development of performance-based specifications for asphalt binders and mixtures to control three distress modes: rutting, fatigue cracking and thermal cracking. The SHRP A-005 project developed detailed pavement performance models to support these binder and mixture specifications and performance-based mixture designs. This report documents the findings of this extensive research effort and provides supporting data for the performance-based specifications and mixture design procedure called SUPERPAVE.