Aggregate Toughness/Abrasion Resistance and Durability/Soundness Tests Related to Asphalt Concrete Performance in Pavements

Numerous tests have been developed that empirically characterize aggregate without, necessarily, having a strong relationship to the performance of the final products incorporating these aggregates. This seems to be particularly true for aggregate toughness and abrasion resistance and durability and soundness. Toughness/abrasion resistance and durability/soundness tests for characterizing aggregate used in asphalt concrete were identified and evaluated, and those test methods that best correlate with field performance were determined. Based on a review of literature and specifications, laboratory tests for characterizing aggregate toughness/abrasion resistance and durability/soundness were selected. Sixteen aggregate sources with poor to good performance histories were identified for evaluation with the selected suite of tests. Performance histories of pavements containing these aggregates in asphalt concrete layers were established through personal contacts with state transportation agencies and performance evaluation questionnaires. Aggregate properties from laboratory tests were correlated with field performance. The micro-deval and magnesium sulfate soundness tests provide the best correlations with field performance of asphalt concrete and are recommended for characterizing aggregate toughness/abrasion resistance and durability/soundness.