Minimum voids in mineral aggregate in hot-mix asphalt based on asphalt film thickness

This study is aimed at determining the relationship between asphalt film thickness and aging characteristics of various hot-mix asphalt (HMA) mixtures. Resilient modulus and indirect tensile strength tests were conducted on the Superpave Gyratory-compacted specimens with five different asphalt film thicknesses in order to determine an optimum asphalt film thickness. From the relationships between the asphalt film thickness and resilient modulus and indirect tensile strength test values of the short and long-term aged samples, optimum asphalt film thickness has been determined about 9-10 mu m. The minimum void content of mineral aggregate (VMA) to obtain this optimum asphalt film thickness can be calculated as 15.2%. (C) 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.