The Superpave binder grading system is expected to improve the correlation between materials properties and pavement performance. The system evaluates the binder's abilities in resisting rutting, fatigue and low temperature cracking based on its rheological properties at the anticipated pavement temperatures. The hypothesis behind the Superpave binder grading system is that a good performing binder is the one that meets certain minimum levels of rheological properties at the appropriate in-service pavement temperatures. Also mechanical properties of asphalt mixtures should indicate the potential performance of flexible pavements under the combined action of traffic and environment. The correlations between actual pavement performance, binders' rheological properties and mixtures' mechanical properties for seventeen rehabilitation or reconstruction projects constructed in Nevada are presented. The field performance of the projects have been monitored through the Nevada DOT pavement management system (PMS). The results of this study will be used by NDOT in verifying the Superpave system for field implementation. (A)
Samenvatting