ISSN: 0090-3973
Page Count: 4

Development of Cold Weather Paving Specifications
Maupin, GW
Highway research engineer, Highway Research Council, Va.

Abstract

Cold weather paving specifications were developed from work by Corlew and Dickson who used a computer solution to predict the cooling rate of bituminous concrete.

Virginia had previously used a minimum atmospheric temperature as a criterion; however, it was evident that other factors had a significant effect on the cooling of bituminous concrete, so the computer solution was considered as a possible basis for new specifications.

Although the solution had been checked by field measurements, it was decided to obtain further verification by plotting cooling ourves for freshly placed hot mix. The curves were developed by measuring the cooling rates of bituminous mats of varying thicknesses under a variety of weather conditions. The field measurements verified the computer solution, and it was used to develop new cold weather paving specifications.

The first specification, put into effect in 1970, was written in tabular form using the laydown temperature and mat thickness as criteria. This specification has been modified and now appears in the form of a simple nomograph.

Keywords:
ambient temperature, base temperature, laydown temperature, mat thickness, computer solution, cooling rate

Paper ID: JTE10059J
DOI: 10.1520/JTE10059J
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