Effect of FORTA-FI Fibers on the Rutting Potential, Dynamic Modulus, Flow Number, and Fatigue of Asphalt Concrete

Abstract

Effect of FORTA-FI Fibers on the Rutting Potential, Dynamic Modulus, Flow Number, and Fatigue of Asphalt Concrete Elbert Rohrbough The effect of fiberreinforcement on asphalt concrete mixes is better explored through laboratory performance testing. Two mixes were evaluated throughout this research. One mix was a standard West Virginia Department of Highways Wearing I, and the other was the Wearing I mix reinforced with FORTAFI® fibers. The testing was done using the Asphalt Pavement Analyzer (APA) and the Asphalt Mixture Performance Tester (AMPT). First, the rutting potential of the two mixes was determined using the APA. Next, the performance of the two mixes was compared using the AMPT. The tests performed on the AMPT determined the dynamic modulus, flow number, and fatigue characteristics of the two mixes. Dynamic modulus master curves were developed using Bonaquist’s MasterSolver Version 2.2 to compare the stiffness of the two mixes. The flow number was evaluated using the Data Smoothing Method and the Francken Model Method to compare the rutting potential of the two mixes. Last, Instrotek’s Alpha-FatigueTM software was used to determine the coefficients needed to model the fatigue behavior of the mixes.