Laboratory Evaluation of the Deformation Resistance of Asphalt Surfaces for Airfields under Static Loads

Abstract

This paper presents the laboratory work carried out to evaluate the
deformation resistance of asphalt surfacings for airfields under static loading conditions. An
indentation test, based on the French test for airfield pavements known as the “puncturing
test”, was used to characterise the resistance of a mixture to deformation as a result of high
static loads. The materials investigated were two AC 10 surface course mixtures produced
with two different polymer modified binders, and a 14 mm Marshall Asphalt surface course
mixture. The AC 10 mixtures were designed following the French design method for 0/10
mm Béton Bitumineux Aéronautique continuously graded mixtures whereas the 14 mm
Marshall Asphalt surface course mixtures was designed as per the UK Defence Estate
specifications for military airfields. It was found that the indentation test developed in this
study is a suitable tool to characterise the resistance of a mixture to indentation from static
loads. Furthermore, indentation values for the AC 10 mixtures were markedly lower than
those for the Marshall Asphalt indicating better resistance to deformation under static loads.
As regards the AC 10 mixtures, the mixture produced with the harder PMB was more
resistant to indentation than the one produced with the softer PMB.