The state road authorities (SRA) in Australia have been working together to introduce performance testing of asphalt mixes either during laboratory design or design based on production mixes. The wheel tracking test (Austroads test method T231) provides a basis to test asphalt mixes for resistance to rutting. It also tests for resistance to the high temperature and low frequency of loading situations normally seen at intersections and other difficult sites, such as inclines and curves. Wheel tracking tests need to be balanced with flexural fatigue testing (Austroads test method T233) to ensure sufficient binder is provided for the durability of the asphalt pavement. This paper provides the data accumulated from various SRA's and the consensus wheel maximum tracking depth target values for medium to heavy duty trafficked road pavements. Wheel tracking plots have been fitted with curves and the formula parameters obtained compared between the various authorities and groups to further understand the significance of these parameters and hence the wheel tracking test results. It is apparent that targeting the earlier part of the wheel tracking plot has the most potential to determine the rut resistance ability of an asphalt mix. (a) For the covering entry of this conference, please see ITRD abstract no. E217099.
Samenvatting