Laboratory study of skid resistance and rutting of Bituminous Concrete

Abstract

There are five major asphalt pavement distresses that may result in loss of performance: fatigue cracking, rutting, thermal cracking, friction and moisture susceptibility. In India asphalt pavement rutting and skid resistance are one of the most common and destructive pavement distresses observed on bituminous roads. Skid resistance is known to be a function of pavement construction materials, pavement roughness and surface conditions. Aggregate properties and gradation are one of the important factors that influence the asphalt pavement skid resistance. This study presents a detailed analysis of aggregate texture and its relationship to pavement skid resistance In this laboratory study an effort has been made to establish a relationship between aggregate texture and pavement skid resistance of Bituminous Concrete surfaces comprising of various aggregates using British Portable Skid Resistance Tester and also to find out the effect of wearing out of the surfaces and loss of skid resistance.In addition the rut depth has also been assessed simultaneously by fabricating indigenous wheel tracking equipment capable of imparting a 705N load with a rolling wheel cycling at a frequency of 53 cycles per minute. The tests have been carried out at a controlled temperature. The results have been reported after every 1000 passes and the samples have been subjected to 20,000 passes each.