Evaluation of durability tests for permeable friction course mixtures.

Durability of porous or permeable friction courses (PFC) is an important aspect to address when designing this type of hot mix asphalt. At present, several agencies perform the mix design of PFC primarily by determining volumetric mixture properties. This approach ensures adequate mixture functionality, but it does not guarantee mixture durability. This paper evaluates the Cantabro loss test, the Hamburg Wheel-Tracking test (HWTT) and the Overlay test (OT) to determine the one most appropriate for mix design and laboratory performance evaluations. The Cantabro loss test, performed in both dry and wet conditions, is recommended for PFC mix design to corroborate the suitability of the optimum asphalt content defined based on volumetric determinations. The HWTT and the OT are not recommended, since the variability of the test results indicated that these tests may not be suitable for PFC mixtures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]