A primary objective for the Strategic Highway Research Program (SHRP) A-003A contract was to extent and verify (validate) the results obtained by other SHRP contractors on the performance-related characteristics of asphalt binders in paving mixes. This report specifically addresses validation of the following: (1) binder properties proposed by the A-002A contractor to predict asphalt-aggregate mix performance in terms of fatigue, permanent deformation, and thermal cracking; and (2) conditioning procedures that produce binder properties representative of those in a pavement immediately after construction (short-term) and after several years of service (long-term). While water-senstivity requirements are not included in the binder specification, validation efforts in the water-sensitivity area are also described.
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