Evaluating the Anti-Skid Performance of Asphalt Pavements with Basalt and Limestone Composite Aggregates: Testing and Prediction

Abstract

This study investigates the skid resistance performance of asphalt mixtures containing composite aggregates of basalt and limestone. The research aimed to predict the service life of the asphalt mixtures and identify the optimal basalt content for enhanced performance. Using an accelerated friction tester, friction indices such as the British pendulum number (BPN), mean texture depth (MTD), and dynamic friction coefficient (Dµ) were measured. The study conducted accelerated wear tests on mixtures with varying basalt contents under different water flow rates and loads. Results indicate that anti-skid performance decreased with increasing water flow, load, and wear cycles, initially showing a sharp decline followed by a gradual stabilization. Orthogonal experiments determined that basalt content had the most significant impact on skid resistance, followed by load and water flow rate. By converting skid resistance and MTD values into IFI values, a four-area diagram was created to illustrate skid resistance deterioration. The four-area IFI diagram also demonstrated that higher basalt content significantly enhances the skid resistance and service life of asphalt mixtures. Cost analysis based on life prediction showed that a 40% basalt content mixture is cost effective while maintaining excellent skid resistance. A test section study further validated that a 40% basalt content ensures good skid resistance, with indoor test predictions aligning closely with field data. Although the test section has been operational for only two years, ongoing monitoring will provide further insights into long-term skid resistance performance.

Keywords

• basalt aggregate content
• asphalt pavement
• skid resistance prediction
• International Friction Index