The conventional classification testing methods for paving asphalt are primarily empirical in nature and do not provide material properties in fundamental engineering units as required for development of performance-related specifications. Strategic Highway Research Program (SHRP) has developed four new pieces of equipment for conditioning and testing the binder to evaluate its suitability from pavement inservice performance point of view. Saudi asphalt from Rastanura Oil Refinery was tested for performance grading using the SHRP equipment at the University of Texas at Austin, USA. Test results show the performance grade of PG 64. High pavement temperatures prevalent in the Kingdom require the asphalt binder to be of a higher maximum temperature performance grade, such as PG 70 or PG 76, to be able to provide a greater resistance to permanent deformation. (A)
Samenvatting