Project Objectives
This project will investigate the extent of HMA pavement damage due to moisture in New England and develop recommendations for test procedures that correlate well with actual field performance.
Tasks could include:
- Identify several pavements or mixes from each state that appear to be prone to moisture damage as well as mixes that perform well.
- Document the moisture testing already being conducted by New England state DOT’s and relevant studies that support this testing.
- Obtain samples and compare the effectiveness of T 283 (the most widely used test) with T 324 (Hamburg) and the method developed using MIST-conditioned specimens in the AMPT. See which method correlates best with observed field performance.
- Recommend best practices for moisture testing of HMA pavements for New England mixes.
- Conduct testing on mixes with lime additive and liquid anti-strip to compare performance.
Technical Committee Members
- Derek Nener-Plante (Chairperson), Maine Department of Transportation
- Andy Willette, Vermont Agency of Transportation
- Beran Black, New Hampshire Department of Transportation
- Eliana Carlson, Connecticut Department of Transportation
- Mark Brum, Massachusetts Department of Transportation
- Michael Byrne, Rhode Island Department of Transportation
Implementation Activities
This research reinforced MassDOT’s decision to decision to remove the TSR moisture test from its requirements and to move towards the Hamburg Wheel Tracking Test. VTrans is also moving towards using the Hamburg Wheel Tracking Test to determine moisture susceptibility. MaineDOT has partially implemented the results of this study. One state says the project confirms what they are already doing and two states may consider implementation in the future.