In 1994, the University of Canterbury acquired a MATerials Testing Apparatus (MATTA). The objective of this paper and the research program is to provide data that New Zealand road engineers can use in their mix design and pavement analysis. Altogether, four series of tests have been done thus far. The variables in the first series were bitumen content and temperature, to determine the effect of variations in bitumen content. A second series of tests were on local mix designs and materials. The variables were the particle size distribution and maximum particle size of the aggregate. As expected, particle size had a significant influence on the creep and modulus results. The third series of tests involved testing New series of tests involved testing New Zealand bituminous mixes with different maximum particle sizes prepared and compacted using three different procedures. The results confirm that the procedure followed influences the properties. The fourth series of tests involved resilient modulus and creep testing at different temperatures on asphaltic concrete mix design. The results show a good correlation between the predicted performance based on an analysis of the MATTA tests of laboratory compacted specimens and the actual performance of the mixes. (A)
Abstract