Performance of Superpave and Hveem Sections in Nevada: Volume IV

Abstract

The Nevada Department of Transportation (NDOT) has strongly supported Superpave related research and implementation efforts since the completion of the Strategic Highway Research Program (SHRP). However, it is one of the state highway agencies that has not implemented the use of the Superpave mix design system. Rather than rapidly implementing Superpave in the mid 1990's, NDOT chose to build field test sections comprised of Superpave and the conventionally used mixtures at the time (Hveem) placed side-by-side to evaluate the Superpave system relative to the system it was using at the time. Extensive laboratory evaluations were conducted on the materials and mixtures placed on each section and field performance was monitored over time. During the mid 1990s, a total of four projects were constructed by NDOT each including a Superpave and a Hveem section side-by-side. The projects were constructed on both medium (state and U.S. routes) and heavy (interstate) traffic volumes. This report represents a synopsis of the field and laboratory performance information gathered on the projects over the past six years. The concurrent evaluations of the Superpave and Hveem designed HMA mixtures indicated that there is not any significant advantage of using Superpave designed HMA mixtures versus the use of Hveem designed mixtures under Nevada's materials, environmental, and traffic conditions.