Assessing the Relative Rutting Susceptibility of HMA in the Laboratory with the Asphalt Pavement Analyzer

The Strategic Highway Research Program (SHRP) identified rutting as a major cause of distress for Hot Mix Asphalt (HMA) pavements. The resulting Superior Performing Asphalt Pavements (Superpave(TM)) mix design system specifically addressed the aggregate and asphalt binder properties that contribute to permanent deformation. However, the Superpave(TM) system does not currently include a laboratory proof-test to quickly assess the rutting susceptibility of HMA. In the early 1980's, the Georgia Department of Transportation funded research to develop and refine a laboratory wheel-tracking device. Based on the results of this research, Pavement Technology, Inc. (PTI) developed the Asphalt Pavement Analyzer (APA). Various laboratory studies have been conducted since the development of the APA to assess the suitability of this device as a proof-test for HMA. In 1998, the Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) initiated a study with the University of Tennessee to further evaluate the merits of the APA. In ...