Optimizing Use Of Marshall Asphalt Mix Design

Abstract

Rutting has been a problem in Qatar's highway pavements since it began designing asphalt mixtures with the Marshall Method in the early 1990's. This paper describes specifications and rules-of-thumb which have been generated in the United States which may provide insight to Qatar's rutting problem and suggests modifications to mix design and construction procedures. The paper describes appropriate bitumen and aggregate specifications and discusses field procedures to implement mix design values produced in the laboratory. Maintaining 3-5% air voids in the mix is stressed at all times.