Information Series 115
Design, Construction,
--
and Maintenance of
Open-Graded Asphalt
Friction Courses
100% RECYCLABLE
NAPA
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NATIONAL ASPHALT
PA V EM ENT ASSOCIATION
This publication is provided by the members of the National Asphalt Pavement Association (NAPA),
who are the nation's leading Hot Mix Asphalt (,H MA) producer/contractor firms and those furnishing
equipment and services for the construction of quality HMA pavements.
NAPA Members are dedicated to providing the highest quality HMA paving materials and pavements,
and to increasing the knowl'edge of quality HMA pavement design, construction , maintenance and
rehabilitation . NAPA also strongly supports the development and dissemination of research , engineer
ing and educational information that meets America's needs in transportation, recreational and
environmental pavements.
This publication is designed to provide inform ation of interest to NAPA members and Is not to
be considered a publication of standards or regulations. The views of the author expressed
here in does not necessarily reflect the decision making process of NAPA with regard to advice
or opinions on the merits of certain processes, procedures or equipment,
COP YRIGHT NOn CE
Publications produced and published by the National Asphalt Pavement Association (NAPA) are
copyrighted by the Association and may not be republished or copied (including mechanical reproduc
tions) without written consent. To obtain this consent, contact the National Asphalt Pavement
Association , NAPA Building, 5100 Forbes Blvd., Lanham, MD 20706-4407, USA, www.hotmix.org,
E-mail: napa@hotmix,org, Tel: 301-731-4748, Fax: 301-731-4621, Toll Free: 888-468-6499.
© 2002 National Asphalt Pavement Association
Information Series 11 5
Printed 5/02
Design. Construction, and Maintenance of
Open-Graded Asphalt Friction Courses
by
Prithvi S. Kandhal, PE., Associate Director
National Center for Asphalt Technology
Introduction ... .. .... ..... .. .... .. ............. ... .................. .. .. ...... ..... ..... ............... .... ...... .... 1
Background and History .......... .. ................................... .......................... ...... 1
U.S. Experience ...... ..................... ....... .. .. .. ... ... ......... ............. .... .. .................. 2
Eu ropean Experience ............. ................ ................ ................................... .. . 2
Performance Benefits .... ... .. ... ..... .......... ............ .. ......... .. ........ .... ... .... ... ............... 3
Safety ....... ......... .. ..... ...... ... ..... ....................... .. .. ...... ... ......... ....... ..... ....... .. .... 3
Environment ............ ...... ..... ..... .. ... ....... ... ...... ... ............................................. 5
Noise Reductio n .. ... ........................... .... ..... ........ ...... ........ ... ......... .... .......... .. 5
Mix Design ............................................ ..... .... .. ....... ......... .. ....... .. ..... ...... .. .... ....... . 8
Step 1. Materials Selection .. .. ....... ...... .. .. ...... ....... .. ..... .. .............. .. ........ .. ..... 8
Step 2. Selection of Design Gradation .............. ......................... ..... ....... ...... 8
Step 3. Determine Optimum Asphalt Content ... .. ....... ............................. .. 10
Step 4. Evaluate Mix for Moisture Susceptibility .. ........ ........ ...... ...... ... .. ..... 11
Mix Production and Placement .. ...... ................ .......................... .. ............... .. ... 11
Asphalt Plant Modifications ......... .. ....... ........... ....... .. ... .. ... .... .. ..... ........ .. ..... 11
Asphalt Plant P roduction ... ............................. .. ... .. ........... .. ......... ............. .. 12
Hauling ..... .......................... ...................... .......... .. ......... ............. ... .... ..... ... . 12
Placement ... ............. .. ........ .. .... .. ............................ .. .. .. ................. .... ......... 12
Pavement Design Considerations ... .................................. ....................... .... ... 13
Thickness .. .......... ...................................... ...... ............. ..... ................... .. .... 13
Structural Coefficient ... .... ... ......... .. ........ .......... ... .. .. .. .... ......... ............ ........ 13
Where Not to Use OGFC ...... .. ..... ............. .. ...... ..... .. .... ..... ............ .... .... .. .... 13
Maintenance and Rehabilitation ....... ... .. .. ....... ....... ....... ... ...... .. ............ ............ 14
Winter Maintenance ..................... ..... ............... .. ................................... ... ... 14
General Maintenance ................. .......... ........ ...................... ...... ........ .. ........ 14
Rehabilitation .. ......... ............ ... .... .. ..... .. ... ........ .. .... .. .... .. ............... ...... ......... 14
Summary ...... .... ... .. ............................ .... ........ ...... ....... ..... ....... ............... ... .. ....... 14
References .................................. .......... ........... ... ......... .. ...... .... ......................... . 16
Appendix A: Example of Determining VCAoRc and VCAMIX
for Checking Stone-on-Stone Contact in OGFC ... .......... .... .... ..... 19
A ppend ix B: Su mmary of Standard Practice for Designing Open-G raded
Asphalt Friction Course Mixtures ............................. .... ...... ......... 21
NAPA
NATIONAL ASPHALT
PAVEMENT ASSOCATION
~--
NAPA Building _ 5100 Forbes Blvd. _ Lanham, MD 20706-4407
Toll Free: 888-468-6499 _ Tel: 301-731-4748 _ Fax : 301-731-4621
www.hotmix.org _
[email protected] Information Series 115
Abstract
Open-graded asphalt friction course (OGFC) is an open-graded Hot Mix Asphalt
(RMA) mixture with interconnecting voids that provides improved surface drainage
during rainfall. The rainwater drains vertically through the OGFC to an imperme
able underlying layer and then laterally to the day lighted edge of the OGFC. In
addition to minimizing hydroplaning potential during rainfall and providing im
proved friction values on wet pavements, the OGFC offers the following advantages
compared to other dense-graded surfaces: (a) reduced vehicle splash and spray be
hind vehicles, (b) enhanced visibility of pavement markings, (c) reduced nigh ttime
surface glare in wet weather, and (d) reduced tire-pavement noise.
Numerou states in the US currently using DGFC have experienced excellent
performance in terms of safety (improved surface friction) and durability. The fol
lowing problems, which were experienced by some states duri ng OGFC trials in the
1970s, have been solved: (a) raveling, (b) delamination, (c) loss of permeability
after a few years in service. This has been accomplished by one or more of the
following: use of polymer-modified asphalt binders, relatively high asphalt content
(by lIsing fibers), and/or relatively open gradations.
Based on the experience of the successful states in the US, experience in several
countries in Europe, and the recent National Center for A phalt Technology (NCAT)
research, a mix design method has been developed for a new-generation OGFC. In
addition to using polymer-modified asphalt binder and fiber, the new-generation
OGFC is highly open-graded with high permeability. The mix design procedure
addresses the concerns of the northern tier states with cold climates by including
abrasion tests on new and aged mixtures, and subjecting the OGFC mix to freeze
and thaw cycles.
The recommendations discussed in this report for materi als selection, mix de
ign, can truction, pavement structural design, winter maintenance, and rehabilita
tion should provide the necessary gu idance to maximize the potential for OGPc.
KeyWords
OGFC, open graded friction course,
Hot Mix Asphalt, HMA, mixture design,
plant production , construction, maintenance,
snow and ice removal , rehabilitation,
structural design, friction,
skid resistance, noise
FIGURE 1
OGFC on Interstate 5 in Washington
relaliv ly open gradations. The survey3 also concluded European Experience
that good design and construction practice was the key After OGFC was developed in the US in the early
to improved performance of OGFC mixes . Figures 1 1970s, it has been increasingly used in many European
and 2 show good examp les of in-service OGFC pave countries. It is called porous asphalt in Europe. It is
ments in Washington and Nevada, respectively. frequ ently used in Ge rm any, Netherlands, France,
U.S. Experience Italy, United Kingdom, Belgium, Spain, Switzerland,
The Oregon Department of Transportation (DOT) has and Austria.
been using OGFC on its highway system since the late Unlike the OGFC used in the US in the 1970s, the
1970s. OGFC ha become their preferred choice for a porous asphal t evolved in Europe with coarser grada
surface cour e due to its excellent performance. More tion, higher in-place air voids (generally between 17 to
than 3000 km (2000 lane mi les) of Oregon highways 22 percent range) and, therefore, higher permeabil
are paved with OGFe. Class F, OGFC mix has a nomi ity, and generally placed in thicknesses of 40 to 50 mm
nal maximum aggregate size of 25 mm (l in) and i (1 112 to 2 in). Nomi nal maximum aggregate size ranges
generally u ed with a thickness of 50 mm (2 in). fro m 11 rum (7/16 in) to 16 mm (5/8 in). Smaller and
The Washington State DOT had placed more than larger size aggregates are used less frequently. Poly
386,000 ton of OGFC by the end of 1993. In addition , mer modified binders or fibers, and sometimes both, are
OGFC is exten ively used in California and Nevada. used in the OGFC mixtures to obtain thick and strong
Washington and California use 20 mm (3/4 in) and Or binder fi lm thus maximizing resistance to aging and
eg n uses 50 mm (2 in) thickness of OGFe. raveling. 6 OGFC is used successfully in Europe in a
Arizona and Florida are usi ng OGFC extensively on full range of climate, from hot and dry to cold and wet.
interstate and non-i nterstate pavements. Georgia requires There were some 400,000 m 2 of OGFC on German
the u of OGFC on all interstate highways . It is usu federal roads in 1992. Although eight years old, these
aUy placed 20 rum (3/4 in) in thickness. OGFC pavements were in excellent condition in 1992.
Specifications and mix design method (described later) The primary reason for using OGFe in the Nether
have now been developed based on research conducted land was for Daise reduction; the safety aspect was
by NCAT and experience gained in the US and Europe. 4, 5 appreciated more later.
2 NATIONAL ASPHALT PAVEMENT ASSOCIATION -IS 115
