A case study on developing asphalt mix performance grading (Mix-PG) system in Ontario
Abstract Road infrastructure plays a crucial role in facilitating the movement of goods and people, promoting global economic growth, trade, and connectivity. Achieving sustainability and resiliency within road systems extends their lifespan, stabilizes economies, enhances climate adaptability, and...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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SpringerOpen
2025-05-01
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| Series: | Journal of Infrastructure Preservation and Resilience |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s43065-025-00130-6 |
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| author | Saeid Salehi Ashani Michael D. Elwardany Sina Varamini Susan Tighe |
| author_facet | Saeid Salehi Ashani Michael D. Elwardany Sina Varamini Susan Tighe |
| author_sort | Saeid Salehi Ashani |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Road infrastructure plays a crucial role in facilitating the movement of goods and people, promoting global economic growth, trade, and connectivity. Achieving sustainability and resiliency within road systems extends their lifespan, stabilizes economies, enhances climate adaptability, and reduces both maintenance costs and environmental impact. With the increasing use of recycled materials and chemical additives in asphalt mixes, relying only on asphalt binder Performance Grading (PG) is insufficient for predicting field performance of asphalt pavements and material resilience under various climatic projections and severe weather events. Therefore, this study introduces the concept of asphalt mixture PG system (Mix-PG system) for evaluating asphalt materials resilience. The proposed Mix-PG system is demonstrated using the following three laboratory tests: (1) the Disc-Shaped Compact Tension (DC(T)) test assessed low-temperature cracking resistance, establishing a minimum threshold for fracture energy to determine the continuous low-temperature PG, (2) the Hamburg Wheel Tracking (HWT) test measured rutting resistance, with a maximum threshold for creep slope defining the continuous high-temperature PG, and (3) the Illinois Flexibility Index Test (I-FIT) evaluated intermediate-temperature cracking resistance, ensuring mixes meet a minimum Flexibility Index (FI) threshold value. This research revealed that meeting a single threshold value of a laboratory test, at a single temperature, may not result in a comprehensive evaluation of mix performance and durability at various climatic projections and material resilience under severe weather events. However, a mix PG assessment diagram—integrating low- and high-temperature PGs and FI values—offers a comprehensive framework for assessing asphalt materials’ resilience for major decisions and high-profile projects based on expected climate performance and projections. The Mix-PG system is not intended for routine mix design or quality control/assurance. Instead, it is proposed for critical decision-making scenarios—such as evaluating alternative mix designs or incorporating innovative materials—particularly in high-profile projects like major highways, high-traffic intersections, or projects where climatic resilience is a key design objective. Additionally, the proposed framework may be applied at the network level to assess typical climatic resilience using common mixture types, thereby helping to identify potentially vulnerable areas under various climate change scenarios. Ultimately, this approach may be used in supporting the development of resilient and sustainable road infrastructure. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-20c66547317c480ea46b51d7a86ee06b |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2662-2521 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-05-01 |
| publisher | SpringerOpen |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Journal of Infrastructure Preservation and Resilience |
| spelling | doaj-art-20c66547317c480ea46b51d7a86ee06b2025-08-20T03:53:11ZengSpringerOpenJournal of Infrastructure Preservation and Resilience2662-25212025-05-016111710.1186/s43065-025-00130-6A case study on developing asphalt mix performance grading (Mix-PG) system in OntarioSaeid Salehi Ashani0Michael D. Elwardany1Sina Varamini2Susan Tighe3Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of WaterlooDepartment of Civil and Environmental Engineering, FAMU-FSU College of EngineeringDepartment of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of WaterlooDepartment of Civil Engineering, McMaster UniversityAbstract Road infrastructure plays a crucial role in facilitating the movement of goods and people, promoting global economic growth, trade, and connectivity. Achieving sustainability and resiliency within road systems extends their lifespan, stabilizes economies, enhances climate adaptability, and reduces both maintenance costs and environmental impact. With the increasing use of recycled materials and chemical additives in asphalt mixes, relying only on asphalt binder Performance Grading (PG) is insufficient for predicting field performance of asphalt pavements and material resilience under various climatic projections and severe weather events. Therefore, this study introduces the concept of asphalt mixture PG system (Mix-PG system) for evaluating asphalt materials resilience. The proposed Mix-PG system is demonstrated using the following three laboratory tests: (1) the Disc-Shaped Compact Tension (DC(T)) test assessed low-temperature cracking resistance, establishing a minimum threshold for fracture energy to determine the continuous low-temperature PG, (2) the Hamburg Wheel Tracking (HWT) test measured rutting resistance, with a maximum threshold for creep slope defining the continuous high-temperature PG, and (3) the Illinois Flexibility Index Test (I-FIT) evaluated intermediate-temperature cracking resistance, ensuring mixes meet a minimum Flexibility Index (FI) threshold value. This research revealed that meeting a single threshold value of a laboratory test, at a single temperature, may not result in a comprehensive evaluation of mix performance and durability at various climatic projections and material resilience under severe weather events. However, a mix PG assessment diagram—integrating low- and high-temperature PGs and FI values—offers a comprehensive framework for assessing asphalt materials’ resilience for major decisions and high-profile projects based on expected climate performance and projections. The Mix-PG system is not intended for routine mix design or quality control/assurance. Instead, it is proposed for critical decision-making scenarios—such as evaluating alternative mix designs or incorporating innovative materials—particularly in high-profile projects like major highways, high-traffic intersections, or projects where climatic resilience is a key design objective. Additionally, the proposed framework may be applied at the network level to assess typical climatic resilience using common mixture types, thereby helping to identify potentially vulnerable areas under various climate change scenarios. Ultimately, this approach may be used in supporting the development of resilient and sustainable road infrastructure.https://doi.org/10.1186/s43065-025-00130-6Sustainability and resiliencyAsphalt mix PGDisc-shaped compact tension testHamburg wheel track testIllinois flexibility index test |
| spellingShingle | Saeid Salehi Ashani Michael D. Elwardany Sina Varamini Susan Tighe A case study on developing asphalt mix performance grading (Mix-PG) system in Ontario Journal of Infrastructure Preservation and Resilience Sustainability and resiliency Asphalt mix PG Disc-shaped compact tension test Hamburg wheel track test Illinois flexibility index test |
| title | A case study on developing asphalt mix performance grading (Mix-PG) system in Ontario |
| title_full | A case study on developing asphalt mix performance grading (Mix-PG) system in Ontario |
| title_fullStr | A case study on developing asphalt mix performance grading (Mix-PG) system in Ontario |
| title_full_unstemmed | A case study on developing asphalt mix performance grading (Mix-PG) system in Ontario |
| title_short | A case study on developing asphalt mix performance grading (Mix-PG) system in Ontario |
| title_sort | case study on developing asphalt mix performance grading mix pg system in ontario |
| topic | Sustainability and resiliency Asphalt mix PG Disc-shaped compact tension test Hamburg wheel track test Illinois flexibility index test |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s43065-025-00130-6 |
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