Review of Airport Asphalt Pavement Compaction Specification and Practice

It is well established that compaction of asphalt mixtures is critical to airport asphalt surface performance. Over-compaction can lead to mixture stability issues, while under-compaction can result in surface porosity or permeability, and accelerated mastic weathering over time. This research reviews the importance, measurement, and specification of airport asphalt compaction and density. Different standard airport pavement density specifications are compared. Furthermore, the differences between paving joints and the paving mat are considered, as well as the relative benefits of specifying a relative density ratio, or a compacted air void content. Finally, methods for improved compaction and better paving joint construction are considered, including joint heaters and pre-construction joint treatments. It was concluded that future specifications should focus on air voids, rather than relative density, as the basis for compaction specification. It was also concluded that new technologies, such as joint heaters and internal joint treatments during construction, should be developed and adopted into practice for better joint performance in the future.