SUPERPAVE Digest 232

Topics covered in this issue include:

3) Compaction

by

5) Re: Compaction

by "ERVIN DUKATZ" <>

6) Re: Compaction

by "Kenneth Hobson" <>

7) Re: Compaction

by "Kenneth Hobson" <>

·  To:

·  Subject: Compaction

·  From:

·  Date: Wed, 25 Aug 1999 19:15:50 EDT

We are currently supplying a Dot project with both 19mm & 12.5mm mixes. The

best compaction the Dot can record in the field is mid 80's, but core results

come in at 91,92 (borderline). I wasn't involved with the design process,

but have my own ideas as to why the contractor cannot achieve compaction. 1.

too much natural sand. 2. over asphated appearence due to high M/F acting as

an asphalt extender. Am I wrong in my thinking that even a bad mix can be

compacted in the confines of the gyrotory compactor? Lab figures are on the

money. Also the rolling pattern seems to be all over the place.

·  To: <>

·  Subject: Re: Compaction

·  From: "ERVIN DUKATZ" <>

·  Date: Wed, 25 Aug 1999 18:37:26 -0500

yes, you can get passing densities in the gyratory compactor on a "poor" mix. For a test, compact the mix at placement thickness and see what happens to the voids. Also, check the slope on your compaction curve. High rates of compaction are usually bad news. Also.check Nint on the product samples.

·  To: <>

·  Subject: Re: Compaction

·  From: "Kenneth Hobson" <>

·  Date: Wed, 25 Aug 1999 19:06:22 -0600

> We are currently supplying a Dot project with both 19mm & 12.5mm mixes.

The

> best compaction the Dot can record in the field is mid 80's, but core

results

> come in at 91,92 (boarderline). I wasn't involved with the design process,

> but have my own ideas as to why the contractor cannot achieve compaction.

1.

> too much natural sand. 2. over asphated appearence due to high M/F acting

as

> an asphalt extender.

How are you getting the field densities? Was a trial mix done? Was a test

strip done? What weather conditions existed at the time? What were the mix

temperatures at mixing, delivery and compaction. Were "enough" rollers

available at the site? What was the experience level of the laydown crew?

Was a MTV used? What was the DP ratio? If you plotted the field gradations

on the 0.45 power chart how did it compare to the mix design. What kind of

rollers were used? Was a tenderness phenomenon experienced? Was

segregation a problem? What speed was the roller operating? What frequency

was the vibratory roller using? Was a rice's test run to verify Gse? Maybe

an aggregate source changed at the quarry.

Am I wrong in my thinking that even a bad mix can be

> compacted in the confines of the gyrotory compactor? Lab figures are on

the

> money. Also the rolling pattern seems to be all over the place.

Exceptions in the field include: Poor Subgrade, Temperature problems,

inproper laydown techniques, moisture in the aggregate, slippage caused by

insufficient lift/layer bonding, marginal mix design, and inproper lift

thickness just to name a few. I think rolling patterns pretty well tell you

the story. Unless the Nini, Ndes and Nmax were changed I don't think lab

molds are the problem.

If your lab molds are coming out ok I would say something is happening

between plant production and laydown. Where it happens is the big question.

If your cores absorb too much water, are you using the parafin method to

obtain densities?

Kenneth Hobson

Bituminous Branch Manager

Oklahoma DOT

SUPERPAVE Digest 233

Topics covered in this issue include:

2) Re: Compaction

by

·  To:

·  Subject: Re: Compaction

·  From:

·  Date: Thu, 26 Aug 1999 14:19:36 EDT

Your comment about making assumptions seems to make sense about a whole lot

of things involved with Superpave besides a compaction slope...