2023 BASt - New conception of asphalt layers
Table of contents
New conception of asphalt layers with regard to synchronized intervention times for maintenance planning
Author
Client
Federal Highway Research Institute
Project duration
09/2023 - 08/2025
Brief description
In asphalt pavement engineering, further developments have been driven forward in recent years, particularly with regard to resource conservation, occupational safety and sustainability. These include the use of reclaimed asphalt and the reduction of temperatures during mix production and paving. The durability of asphalt roads has also been increased in recent years through quality improvements in production and paving and through the use of special construction methods, e.g. compact asphalt. Overall, however, the three types of layers used in asphalt pavements (asphalt surface course, asphalt binder course, asphalt base course) have different, non-synchronous average service lives. This leads to inadequate utilization of the possible service life of an asphalt layer, i.e. layers are removed too early, especially asphalt binder courses in the context of pavement renewal. By utilizing the entire service life of an asphalt layer and synchronizing the intervention times, further potential for resource conservation and sustainability can be tapped and maintenance planning can be optimized.
The aim of this research project is to redesign the three types of layers used in asphalt pavements with regard to regular, coordinated maintenance intervals. By optimizing the composition, especially of the asphalt binder and asphalt base layers, a longer service life can be achieved. In the case of asphalt base layers, the respective layers should also be redesigned. Very high-quality lower base layers are conceivable here. These actions are intended to achieve synchronized intervention times for maintenance planning over the life cycle. By introducing optimized maintenance strategies, the number of necessary construction sites can be reduced, which has a direct impact on the availability of the federal trunk road network.