SWPT Projects
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Development of Asphalt Concrete Mixture Long-Term Aging Protocol for Arizona’s Climatic Conditions
🆔 #23-02
📅 2023 – Ongoing
Field aging of asphalt concrete (AC) mixtures is a complex phenomenon that results in significant changes in the rheological properties and chemistry of binders, thereby impacting key performance characteristics of asphalt mixtures. Laboratory simulation of the field aging characteristics of asphalt concrete (AC) mixes is essential in characterizing their long-term performance. Hence, long-term aging protocols have become a key part of the Balanced Mix Design (BMD) framework adopted by many state and local agencies.
Assessment of Thermal and Durability Cracks in Asphalt Pavements in the Southwest Region
🆔 #23-01
📅 2023 – Ongoing
Durability cracking in asphalt pavements is a major deterioration mechanism in asphalt concrete (AC) pavements in areas experiencing extreme temperatures and precipitation. In this study, we develop a case study example of thermal and durability cracks widely observed in the Southwest of the United States. Significant factors and root causes influencing the occurrence of thermal durability cracks are presented using data compiled from forensic investigations of sites, field core characterization, and mechanistic assessment of conventional flexible pavement structures.
Fracture Characterization of Polymer-Modified Mixes for Applications in Diverse Climatic Regions
🆔 #21-02
📅 2021 – 2022
Although cracking resistance research has been carried out extensively in other states, a large amount of the work is not immediately applicable to Arizona, where the climate is substantially more extreme both in heat and in cold than many other parts of the country.
The main goal is to develop a balanced mix design framework that can be used across diverse climatic regions and to better understand the fracture behavior of polymer-modified mixes.