Quality Control/Quality Assurance Testing for Joint Density and Segregation of Asphalt Mixtures

Longitudinal joint quality control/assurance is essential to the successful performance of asphalt pavement and it has received considerable amount of attention in recent years. Five paving projects were selected for sampling and evaluation in Iowa. For each project, joint quality is compared with regard to the “center” of the pavement mat (6′ right of joint). Field densities and permeability test were made. Cores were obtained for subsequent lab permeability, density and indirect tensile (IDT) strength testing. Asphalt content and gradations were also obtained to determine the joint segregation.

In general, this study found that methods providing the most reliable measurements of joint quality are the AASHTO T166, AASHTO T331 (CoreLok) density tests and the permeability test by Karol-Warner Permeameter. The minimum required joint density for quality control should be around 90.0% and 88.5% of theoretical maximum density based on the AASHTO T166 and AASHTO T331 method respectively. Based on various mix design and longitudinal joint construction methods, the joints show differences in asphalt content and level of segregation. Results of this study indicate that poor quality of longitudinal joint should be a combination of segregation, asphalt content variation and insufficient density.