Improving Asphalt Concrete Mixtures' Resistance to Studded Tires and Chains Wear
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Authors
Khoury, Vanessa
Issue Date
2024
Type
Thesis
Language
Keywords
Chain , Prall , Studded Tire , Wear
Alternative Title
Abstract
Studded tires and chains are widely used in the United States to provide safer vehicle operating conditions on roads covered with snow or ice. However, they can result in severe damage to the pavement wearing course. The studs and chains wear the pavement surface leaving depressions in the wheel paths which can hold water leading to hydroplaning and significant vehicle dynamics which are both safety issues as well. This thesis examines the effect of studded tires and chains on the open graded friction course mixtures which are the typical wearing course used in Nevada. Previous research has indicated that the economic impact of studded tire use is significant. While some have confirmed that their use is crucial in mitigating costs, others have affirmed that their use costs outweigh the benefits. Literature has shown that the most representative test to evaluate studded tire wear is the Nordic ball mill abrasion test. Other literature suggests that use of Stone Matrix Asphalt (SMA) mixtures, adopting gradations with larger Nominal Maximum Aggregate Size (NMAS), and using modified binders positively influence mixture resistance to wear. Different tests were performed on mixtures from five different aggregate sources typically by NDOT. These tests included: Specific gravity and absorption, sieve analysis, sand equivalent, fine aggregate durability, Los Angeles abrasion, Hamburg wheel track test (HWTT) with and without studded tires, Cantabro mass loss and Prall tests. The HWTT was performed under three different conditions: Condition 1 consisted of testing OGFC samples in a dry condition and intermediate temperature; Condition 2 consisted of testing OGFC samples in a wet condition and high temperature; and Condition 3 consisted of testing OGFC samples containing both dense and OFGC lifts in a condition and intermediate temperature. Correlation was found between the fine aggregate durability index test and the Prall Abrasion value. Furthermore, significant correlation was found between rut depth resulting from the studded tire at Condition 1 and the rut depth resulting from non-studded tire at Condition 2. Additionally, a relationship was observed between rut depth resulting from studded tire at Condition 2 and the rut depth resulting from non-studded tire at Condition 1. Based on the findings, it was recommended that the HWTT be performed at low temperature. It was also proposed that a common aggregate gradation be used for all sources to make the comparison between them possible. It was suggested not to consider either the Cantabro or the LA abrasion test as an indicator of studded tire wear resistance. The Prall test, used by Alaska Department of Transportation (AkDOT), appears to distinguish the performance among OGFC mixtures the best among the tests used.