Evaluation of a newly developed asphalt binder selection system for mix design

Abstract

A Norwegian research project (PROKAS) has been conducted in the period 1998 – 2004. One objective was to develop performance-based specifications for Norwegian asphalt mixtures. As a part of this project a new binder selection system was sketched (Andersen, 2000). This system was based on results from the Norwegian research project New Asphalt technology, a project aiming at adaption of the Superpave binder system to Norwegian conditions. An attempt to verify this binder selection system in the laboratory has been made. Deformation properties of asphalt mixtures with different binder stiffnesses have been measured (Lerfald, 2004). The same aggregates and material gradings were used in all samples. The new asphalt binder selection system shows relatively good correlation with results from the deformation tests. However, further testing with other mixtures and higher temperatures will be required to fine-tune and fully verify the system.