Superpave Systems

As part of the Strategic Highway Research Program (SHRP), a new system for
specifying the asphalt materials in asphalt concrete has been developed. This system is
known as Superpave, which is a shortened form for superior performing asphalt
pavements. The research leading to the development of this new system was initiated
because prior to Superpave, it was difficult to relate the results obtained from laboratory
analysis in the existing systems to the performance of the pavement without field
experience. The Superpave system includes a method for specifying asphalt binders
and mineral aggregates, an asphalt mixing design, and a procedure for analyzing and
predicting pavement performance.
The material presented here is based on several reports published by the
National Research Council on research conducted under the Strategic Highway
Research Program (SHRP) as noted in The Superpave Mix Design Manual for New
Construction and Overlays.
The objective of this mix design is to obtain a mixture of asphalt and aggregates that
has the following characteristics:
Sufficient asphalt binder
Sufficient voids in the mineral aggregates (VMA) and air voids
Sufficient workability, and
Satisfactory performance characteristics over the service life of the pavement.
A major difference between the Superpave mix design and other design
methods, is that the Superpave mix design method mainly uses performance-based and
performance-related characteristics as the selection criteria for the mix design. The
Superpave system is unique in that it is performance-based and engineering principles
can be used to relate the results obtained from its tests and analyses to field
performance.
Asphalt Pavement Failures
Asphalts play a major role in maintaining and rehabilitating pavements. For
every type of pavement failure (distress) there is at least one asphalt type that
can treat the damage.
There are four major types of pavement failures:
1. Cracking
Cracks create a rough surface which allows water to enter the base and sub-base
and soften these layers and leads to pavement deterioration. Crack sealing is an
effective maintenance treatment if done early in the life of the pavement.
2. Distortion

Pavement distortions include rutting, shoving, corrugations, settlement depressions,

and frost upheaval. These are some of the most serious pavement failures because
they require major patching, rehabilitation or reconstruction to bring the pavement to
good condition.
3. Disintegration
Disintegration of the pavement surface includes raveling and potholes. Revelling is
the progressive loss of surface material by weathering and/or traffic action. It is caused
by poor construction, inferior aggregates, poor mix design, or aging of the asphalt.
4. Slippery Surface
Slippery surfaces are also a major concern because they make the pavement
unsafe for vehicle stopping and maneuvering. They are caused either by excess asphalt
or by polishing of aggregates.
Asphalt Pavement Recycling
Although timely maintenance can extend a pavements usefulness, eventually its
material will become old and need replacement. Old asphalt pavement materials do not
have to be wasted. They can be recycled as part of the reconstruction process.
Old pavement material is called Reclaimed Asphalt Pavement (RAP). RAP is
combined, as necessary, with new asphalt and/or recycling agents, and/or new
aggregates to produce hot mix paving mixtures. This hot mix recycling process is widely
used in Wisconsin.
Recycling is popular because it saves significantly both on costs and on natural
resources, such as aggregates and asphalts. It also can improve pavements without
changing their thickness, which is important under bridges and on streets with curb and
gutter.
Construction Equipment
A road roller is a compactor type engineering vehicle used to compact soil, gravel,
concrete, or asphalt in the construction of roads and foundations.
A paver is a piece of construction equipment used to lay asphalt on roads, bridges,
parking lots and other such places.
Asphalt distributors are engineered to deliver accurate, uniform and economical
applications of liquid asphalt.
Summary
Asphalt pavement is becoming the most popular type of pavement used in
highway construction. It is envisaged that the use of asphalt in highway construction will
continue to increase, particularly with the additional knowledge that will be obtained

from research conducted over the next few years. The engineering properties of
different asphalt materials is therefore of significant importance in highway engineering.
This report has presented information on the different types of asphalt materials,
their physical characteristics, and some of the tests usually conducted on these
materials when used in the maintenance and/or construction of highway pavements.