Canadian Asphalt Technology:Threats and Opportunities

Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering | University of Waterloo 200 University Ave. West | Waterloo, ON, Canada N2L 3G1

Susan Tighe, PhD, PEng

Canada Research Chair in Pavement and Infrastructure ManagementAssociate Professor, Associate Director

Centre for Pavement and Transportation Technology, CPATT

Outline of Presentation

● Where were we/Where are we?● Where are we going?● Centre for Pavement and Transportation

Technology● Lessons Learned

Past & Present | Future | CPATT | Lessons Learned

Past and Present

● Asphalt industry: goals, evolution● Technology characterizing the industry● Examples of accomplishments● Major issues● Expectations and opportunities for future

Past & Present | Future | CPATT | Lessons Learned

ASPHALT INDUSTRY

EQUIPMENTMANUFACTURERS

PUBLICAGENCIES

CONTRACTORS

CONSULTANTS

PRODUCERS /SUPPLIERS

RESEARCHERS

ANDACADEMICS

Past & Present | Future | CPATT | Lessons Learned

Industry Goals

1. Smooth, safe, economical pavements2. Life-cycle effectiveness3. Safety4. Quality materials5. Productivity6. Aesthetics and environmental protection7. Commitment to continuing improvements,

education, training and research

Past & Present | Future | CPATT | Lessons Learned

Key Areas of Practice1. Materials2. Design3. Construction4. Maintenance5. Environmental Management6. Pavement Management Systems7. Research, Education, & Training

Past & Present | Future | CPATT | Lessons Learned

Materials• 1960’s … Harder Binders, introduction of

minimum viscosity minimum viscosity @ 135°C, Brampton Test Road, 1967 St. Anne Test Road

• 1980’s …Engineered asphalts, LTPP Program• 1990’s …Performance Graded Binders, C-

SHRP, Large Scale Use of RAP• 2000’s …Superpave, Life Cycle Economics,

CPATT Test Road, SERUL Test Road, ARRI

Past & Present | Future | CPATT | Lessons Learned

Design• 1940’s … Heavy aircraft design loads• 1960’s …CGRA’s Design Guide, 1977 TAC

Design Guide, 1997 TAC Design Guide• 1970’s …Experience, Empirical Based Design• 1980’s …Mechanistic-Empirical Design• 1990’s …C-SHRP Experiment• 2000’s …Mechanistic-Empirical Pavement

Design Guide, FAA Airport Design Guides, Perpetual Pavements

Past & Present | Future | CPATT | Lessons Learned

Construction• 1960's … Intr. of hot oil heat, multiple cold

feed bins, hot storage, etc.• 1970's …Higher tonnage mix production

capability• 1980's …New technologies (eg. MTV)• 1990's …ISO 9000 certifications• 1990's …Movement to ERS, Night Paving,

Weekend Work• 2000’s …Warranty Specifications, Toll

Facilities, PPP

Past & Present | Future | CPATT | Lessons Learned

Maintenance• 1970's … Effectiveness of crack rout and seal• 1980's … Movement from in house to large

scale privatization of maintenance• 1990's … Demonstration of effectiveness of

preventive maintenance treatments, Automation of Techniques

• 2000’s … Long Term Performance Contracts, Workzone Safety, PPP, Privatized Funding, Life Cycle Costing

Past & Present | Future | CPATT | Lessons Learned

Environmental Management• 1970's … Recycling technology• 1980's … Improvements to stack emissions,

burner technology, plants, equipment• 1990's … Extensive research on asphalt

fumes, RAP, Recycling• 2000’s … Introduction of other by-products

into asphalt, Introduction of Green Roads, Warm Asphalt, Reduced Emissions

Past & Present | Future | CPATT | Lessons Learned

Pavement Management Systems• 1960's …Introduction of concept• 1970’s …Pavement Management Guide RTAC• 1980's … Widespread implementation of PMS,

Consultants with special PMS expertise, Intro of High speed data capture

• 1990’s … Optimization, Performance Models• 2000’s … Automated Systems, Asset

Management, Financial Accounting

Past & Present | Future | CPATT | Lessons Learned

Research, Education, & Training• 1960's … Development of curriculum, text

books, seminars• 1970’s … Recognition of value of education &

research, EIT Programs• 1980's … SHRP and C-SHRP, National

Training & Research Partnerships• 1990's … National and International

Conferences, EIT, CET Programs• 2000’s … Succession planning, Major

Research Programs, New Professors

Past & Present | Future | CPATT | Lessons Learned

Threat or Opportunity?

Past & Present | Future | CPATT | Lessons Learned

Future• Increased costs of materials and construction• Inadequate funding • Privatization• Green Roads• More Reliable Design Techniques• Asset Management• Social/Technical/Economic/Political/

Sustainable

Past & Present | Future | CPATT | Lessons Learned

GNPGNP

ROADSROADS

Opportunity

Past & Present | Future | CPATT | Lessons Learned

Opportunities• WE are fortunate to be Canadian• Greening Roads for Sustainability• Improving Recycling – Saving the Planet• Learn from past • Be Proactive on Climate Change• Leverage: Technically Savy Next Generation• Design and Build Smart Long Life Pavements• Make the Most of the Challenge

Past & Present | Future | CPATT | Lessons Learned

Context of CPATT Research

● Linking laboratory to field testing● Evaluate the use of innovative materials,

designs and management practices● Improved life cycle costs, sustainability● Assimilation of new technologies● Provide leadership to Canadian transportation

community (environment/loading)● Working with partners

Past & Present | Future | CPATT | Lessons Learned

RESEARCH PARTNERS: PRIVATE AND

Board of Directors

Research Team Responsible for Planning, Management and Conduct

of the Research Program

University

Policies

RESEARCH PRODUCTS, APPLICATIONS AND TRAINING

Satellite Test Sites Liaison With Other Labs

MAIN FIELD FACILITY AND TESTSITE AT REGION OF WATERLOO

CENTRAL LAB FACILITY ATUNIVERSITYOF WATERLOO

PUBLIC SECTORS AND UNIVERSITIES

INTEGRATED

Laboratory Testing● Examining material characterization

properties (recycled products, warm asphalt)● Using innovative tools to measure noise

characteristics● Full sized freezer to test materials (-40C)● Working with data loggers to improve in-situ

measurements (seasonal load restrictions)● Relate lab mixes to construction – consider

workability

Past & Present | Future | CPATT | Lessons Learned

Uzarowski et al Leung et al

Past & Present | Future | CPATT | Lessons Learned

Sound Absorption Coefficient vs. Frequency

0

0.02

0.04

0.06

0.08

0.1

0.12

0.14

200 300 400 500 600 700 800 900 1000 1100 1200

Frequency (Hz)

Ab

so

rpti

on

Co

eff

icie

nt

rOFC rOGC SMA HL-3

Leung et al

Past & Present | Future | CPATT | Lessons Learned

Integrating Laboratory Testing● Demonstrating differences between materials● Using innovative tools to measure noise

characteristics● Calibrating design models using finite

element, finite differences, mechanistic empirical methods

● Technical/economic/sustainable designs● Moving laboratory to field

Past & Present | Future | CPATT | Lessons Learned

Innovative Materials and Design

Warm Asphalt (WA) & Porous Asphalt (PA)● Reduces Emissions, Longer Hauls (WA)● Innovative Technology (WA)● Structurally same as conventional (WA)● Assists with Stormwater Management (PA)● Excellent Potential for Parking Lots ad Low

Volume Roadways (PA)● Structural and Hydrological Design (PA)● Assist with Climate Change (WA&PA)

Past & Present | Future | CPATT | Lessons Learned

Mix

Environmental Data Subgrade Type Traffic Levels

Hydrological Analysis

Pavement Design Charts

Past & Present | Future | CPATT | Lessons Learned

Dense Graded Asphalt Cored Sample

Porous Asphalt Cored Sample

Past & Present | Future | CPATT | Lessons Learned

Cored sample for dynamic modulus testing

Dynamic modulus sensor configuration of three linear variable differential

transducers (LVDT’s)

Past & Present | Future | CPATT | Lessons Learned

Environmental Management●Asphalt●Rubber Tires ●Asphalt Shingles●Glass●Shingles●Concrete

Past & Present | Future | CPATT | Lessons Learned

Environmentally Management●Divert Previously Used Shingles from

dumping sites & incorporate them into asphalt mixes

●What percentage of RAS is optimal?● Increase % of RAP?●Green Pavement Designs?● Increase % of Recycling?

Past & Present | Future | CPATT | Lessons Learned

Shingles?●Develop a RAP (Recycled Asphalt

Pavement) product with RAS and RAP●Maintain or improve performance

characteristics of conventional RAP products

● Improve economics of Hot Mix●Think Green!

Past & Present | Future | CPATT | Lessons Learned

Recycled Shingle Stockpile

Field Testing: CPATT Test Track● Field performance of three premium surface

course mix technologies● Traffic/Environmental Impacts on Pavement

Design● Training and Education of Students● Testing of Innovative Monitoring Equipment● Evaluation of WIM● Assisted in developing satellite test sites

(Perpetual Pavement, GTAA, City of Hamilton)

Past & Present | Future | CPATT | Lessons Learned

rOFCrOGC

SMA

HL-3

Each section approx. 600 m long

Rubberized Open Friction Course (rOFC)

Rubberized Open Graded Course (rOGC)

Stone Mastic Asphalt (SMA)

Control: Hot-Laid 3 (HL-3)

Premium Aggregate

Local Aggregate

Premium Aggregate

Local Aggregate

1” (25 mm) TYP

First truly controlled studyIntegrated CPX and PBM

Past & Present | Future | CPATT | Lessons Learned

Past & Present | Future | CPATT | Lessons Learned

More robust instrumentation &Test methods

Field Testing: Satellite Sites● Warm Asphalt – City of Hamilton – Joint

Solution● Recycled Asphalt Shingles – Miller/Town of

Markham● Perpetual Pavement – MTO/OHMPA – Highway

401 Woodstock● Quiet Pavements – Region of Waterloo● Automated Distress Collection –

MTO/Stantec/Fugro-Roadware/Applied Research Associates

Past & Present | Future | CPATT | Lessons Learned

Lessons Learned● Good technology and People in Canadian

Pavement Industry● Structural/Environmental data fundamental ● Two staged process: lab testing/field testing● Experimental Design Essential!!!● Public-Private –Academic Partnerships Work● Adoption of New Materials and Designs● Think Green!!!

Past & Present | Future | CPATT | Lessons Learned

“What lies behind us and what lies before us are

small matters compared to what lies within us”

Emerson

Opportunity