Experimental Assessment of Durability of Asphalt Pavement Surfacing Modified with Fly-Ash Under Moisture Submergence

Abstract

The impact of environmental factors such as moisture and temperature cycles together with traffic loads and configurations on pavement combined with the need for improved construction materials have made it pertinent for research into better ways to enhance asphalt pavement properties for better performance. This study adopts an experimental approach using the Marshall Mix design method to investigate the effect of fly-ash in the enhancement of asphalt pavement wearing course under submergence in terms of strength and durability. Marshall Properties such as Stability and flow were obtained using the Marshall apparatus, while the durability characteristics in both soaked and un-soaked conditions were obtained by applying models. The results gotten showed that strength and durability properties such as Retained stability and performance with respect to durability using; First Durability Index (FDI) and Second Durability Index (SDI) were negatively affected by moisture for mixes without the modifier, while the mixes modified with fly-ash had better resistance against moisture, thus better strength and higher durability for the asphalt pavement wearing course.

Keywords: asphalt pavement, durability, and fly-ash