PRESENTING ASPHALT MIXTURES FLOW NUMBER PREDICTION MODEL USING GYRATORY CURVES

Pavement permanent deformations due to lack of shear strength in mixture are a major reason of rutting. Any simple test to determine mixtures resistance to permanent deformation isn’t distinguished in the 1st level of SUPERPAVE mix design method and prevalent methods for evaluating mixture rut resistance are expensive and time-consuming. Two aggregate types, gradations, asphalt cements and filler types were used in this research to present a prediction model for rutting based on flow number. A mathematical model to estimate flow number of dynamic creep test was developed using model parameters and gyratory compaction slope. The model is validated using Neural Network and Genetic Algorithm and makes it possible to evaluate mixtures shear strength while optimum asphalt content is being determined in laboratory. So not only there is no need to expensive test instruments of rutting or dynamic creep but a remarkable time saving in mix design procedure is achievable.