Abstract For a soil to be granulometrically stable, it must present low plasticity and a granulometric composition that conforms with the limits regulated by standards. This article presents a study of the clay fraction activity and plasticity of three laterites from the Triângulo Mineiro region, aiming to use them in a granulometrically stabilized base. The experimental phase contained the determination of liquidity limit, plastic limit, sand equivalent and silica sesquioxide ratio, in addition to a Methylene Blue spot test, linear shrinkage, MCT classification and X-ray diffraction. The results show that the sand equivalent alone is not able to evaluate the content of impurities of the clay fraction; it needs to be performed along with the Methylene Blue spot test. Linear shrinkage proved to be an important indicator of plasticity, capable of measuring small values of plasticity. Finally, the MCT classification precisely indicated the lateritic behavior of the samples. stable standards region base limit ratio test Xray X ray diffraction Finally samples

Abstract The present article presents the study of three laterites from the Triãngulo Mineiro and Alto Paranaíba region, aiming to use it as a pavement base. The methodology used consisted of carrying out the tests prescribed by the DNIT 098/2007 standard and, as a complementary methodology, linear contraction, MCT classification, modulus of resilience and X-ray diffractometry were introduced. Four mixtures of laterite with sand were prepared aiming to correct the plasticity of the materials. Three samples of laterites and three of the four mixtures with sand showed sand equivalent values lower than 30%, showing that this is a characteristic of laterites in the region. Only the mixture LatJ3+A4 (70x30) presented a sand equivalent greater than 30%, but this sample presented the worst plasticity indicators in relation to the other mixtures. These results showed the need for further studies on the use of the sand equivalent of laterites. The linear contraction associated with the liquidity limit proved to be more accurate and efficient for the control of plasticity characteristics than the plasticity index together with the liquidity limit and the sand equivalent.

RESUMO São vários os fatores (geométricos, mecânicos e de carregamento) que podem influenciar no dimensionamento do pavimento flexível e no seu desempenho quanto ao aparecimento de fissuras por fadiga. Por isso, os métodos mecanístico-empíricos para o dimensionamento são amplamente aceitos e utilizados no âmbito da engenharia de pavimentação. Entretanto, para a análise mecanística existe uma gama de modelos de fadiga que podem proporcionar diferentes dimensionamentos do pavimento. Este estudo visou analisar a sensibilidade do desempenho à fadiga do revestimento asfáltico de acordo com dados derivados de um dimensionamento mecanístico-empírico do pavimento e levando em consideração diferentes modelos de fadiga. As seguintes variáveis foram consideradas nos modelos de fadiga: as propriedades mecânicas dos materiais estruturais, as espessuras das camadas estruturais e a carga aplicada à estrutura. As misturas asfálticas de projeto contempladas na pesquisa foram definidas de acordo com o método de projeto de mistura Marshall, enquadradas em duas distintas faixas granulométricas aplicáveis ao concreto asfáltico com ligante polimérico. O protocolo mecanístico-empírico envolveu o pré-projeto das estruturas do pavimento utilizando o método empírico do Departamento Nacional de Infraestrutura de Transportes (DNIT) e sua análise mecanística utilizando o programa de computador Elsym5, o qual considera que as camadas horizontais são formadas por materiais elástico-lineares e isotrópicos. Os resultados mostraram que o desempenho à fadiga e o dimensionamento da camada de revestimento asfáltico variaram conforme os modelos de fadiga aplicados nos diferentes cenários. Porém, a sensibilidade do desempenho à fadiga do revestimento asfáltico determinado por esses modelos, diante das variações dos fatores estudados, foi aproximadamente a mesma. Assim, concluiu-se que a fadiga dos revestimentos asfálticos foi mais sensível à variação da espessura da camada de revestimento asfáltico do que à variação do valor de carga aplicada, seguidas do módulo de resiliência do solo do subleito.

ABSTRACT In the new Brazilian mechanistic-empirical design method of asphalt pavements, MeDiNa, the characterization of permanent deformation (PD) for the selection of soils and gravel is based on tests performed with at least 150,000 loading cycles for each of the nine specimens indicated in the DNIT standard. Despite providing information about the material behavior under a wide range of testing conditions, the experimental program related to these PD characterizations is time consuming and it is believed that it can be optimized. This paper evaluates the influence of the number of loading cycle applications on the characterization of the materials. For this purpose, seven materials were analyzed at their optimum moisture content (OMC) and one of them was also compacted in a condition above the OMC, in a total of eight data sets. Statistical regression analyzes were performed to identify the parameters of the predictive model for different numbers of cycles and the PD predictions for the different materials were compared. From these results, simulations were performed in the MeDiNa software to predict the performance of the materials. Four different N values were evaluated, considering 150,000 cycles as reference: discarding the 500 first cycles, but considering the PD accumulated in that interval; discarding the 500 first cycles and considering the PD accumulated in that interval; final N of 80,000; and final N of 100,000. For the analyzed materials, no significant differences were observed in the PD prediction, even considering tests with 50,000 or 70,000 cycles less than the 150,000 cycles required in the standard. This indicates that, although characterization is recommended following standardized procedures, the experimental program of the current PD standard can possibly be significantly optimized by reducing the number of cycles applied to materials in laboratory tests. This possibility must be analyzed for each material.

Abstract The procedures for design and reinforcement projects regarding flexible pavements available in Brazil are mostly based on empirical models developed from studies carried out in specific localities, and therefore, should only be used in cases where equivalent climatic and traffic conditions are observed. The national highway agencies in partnership with universities and research centers have been working to change this scenario through the development of a mechanistic-empirical method that is more compatible with the Brazilian geographic and technical-scientific realities. The first outcome of this task force is the computer program MeDiNa, which is still under assessment. In this present study, the new flexible pavement software in Brazil (MeDiNa) was used by the Federal University of Juiz de Fora to calculate the overlay asphalt of its the ring road, aiming to recover its functional proprieties. This pavement was evaluated functionally by Computerized Continuous Visual Survey (CCVS) and tests of longitudinal cracks, and structurally by survey deflection measurements (FWD) and shaft sinking. With the data collected from the structural evaluation, the homogeneous segmentation of the stretch and the back-calculation of the data was carried out, aimed at the acquisition of needed parameters for the calculation. After the appropriate design, it was concluded that the best solution for the overlay is resurfacing along its entire length, with the use of the project’s asphalt mixture with single thickness of 5.0 cm, observing the application of the anti-reflective cracking layer in some stretches.

Resumen Este trabajo tuvo como objetivo el análisis de la influencia de diferentes metodologías para la determinación de la gravedad específica máxima del método de dosificación SUPERPAVE de mezclas asfálticas en caliente.El análisis comparativo incidió sobre los parámetros volumétricos, en la elección de la granulometría del proyecto, y por consiguiente, sobre los respectivos contenidos de ligante asfaltico del proyecto de las mezclas asfálticas estudiadas.Para las especificaciones de la investigación no hubo diferencias significativas en los contenidos de ligante del proyecto obtenidos por medio de las dos metodologías de determinación de la gravedad específica máxima, con respecto a los diferentes valores de gravedad específica máxima determinadas según cada uno de los diferentes métodos utilizados. Desde un punto de vista práctico, la adopción de cualquiera de los métodos interfirió poco en la dosificación del método Superpave para la mezcla asfáltica proyectada, lo que pude corresponder a una ventaja del método trabajado en investigaciones similares basadas en el método de dosificación Marshall, donde se evidencia la sensibilidad del procedimiento para la determinación del contenido del ligante asfaltico del proyecto al tipo de gravedad específico máximo utilizado.

Abstract This study aimed to analyze the influence of different methodologies to determine the maximum specific gravity on the Superpave mix design method. The comparative analysis focused on the volumetric parameters, on the choice of the design particle size and, consequently, on the respective design asphalt binder contents of the studied asphalt mixtures. Regarding the particularities of the research, there were no significant differences in the design binder contents obtained using the two adopted methodologies for determining the maximum specific gravity. From a practical point of view, the adoption of any of the methods interfered little with the results of the application of the Superpave mix design method. This fact demonstrates a quality of this method since similar researches based on the Marshall design method evidences the sensitivity of the protocol for determining the asphalt binder content in relation to the used type of maximum specific gravity.

RESUMO Este trabalho apresenta resultados oriundos de uma pesquisa experimental cujo o objetivo foi analisar o comportamento mecânico de uma mistura betuminosa a frio sob efeitos de cargas estáticas e repetidas. Inicialmente, fez-se uma dosagem Marshall para definição do teor de projeto da mistura, de acordo com a norma DNER (1994a). Após obtenção do teor de projeto, foram moldadas nove amostras para serem submetidas aos seguintes ensaios: módulo de resiliência, resistência à tração por compressão diametral e fadiga. Verificou-se que a estabilidade Marshall, independente do traço utilizado, superou o limite mínimo recomendado na especificação de serviço DNIT (2010a). Quanto à fluência, os valores encontrados superaram os exigidos na referida especificação. Os resultados obtidos para a resistência à tração por compressão diametral média, módulo de resiliência e vida de fadiga da mistura betuminosa foram, respectivamente, de 0,47 MPa, na faixa de 1.530 a 1.837 MPa e menores que 1.000 ciclos (para a maioria das diferenças de tensão aplicadas), os quais foram inferiores àqueles comumente relatados para misturas a quente.

Abstract This paper presents the results of an experimental research aimed at analyzing the mechanical behavior of a cold bituminous mixture under effects of static and repeated loads. Initially, a Marshall mixture design was performed to determine the mixture design contents according to standard DNER (1994a). After obtaining the mixture design contents, nine bituminous specimens were molded and subjected to the following tests: resilient modulus, tensile strength by diametral compression, and fatigue. The Marshall stability, independent from the mixture content used, surpassed the minimum limit recommended by the service specification DNIT (2010a). Regarding the Marshall flow, the values found exceeded the required by the referred specification. The results obtained for the average tensile strength by diametral compression, resilient modulus and fatigue life of the bituminous mixture were, respectively, 0.47 MPa, in the range of 1530-1837 MPa, and lower than 1000 cycles (for most stress differences applied), which were lower than those commonly reported for hot mixtures.

RESUMO Este trabalho apresenta os resultados de uma pesquisa experimental que objetivou estudar o comportamento mecânico de uma mistura betuminosa a frio sob efeitos de cargas estáticas e repetidas. Após a caracterização dos agregados e do ligante empregados na pesquisa, efetuou-se a mistura, a partir da dosagem Marshall, obtendo o teor de projeto equivalente a 8,5% de emulsão. Nesse teor de emulsão, moldaram-se várias amostras, que foram submetidas aos ensaios de módulo de resiliência, resistência à tração por compressão diametral e fadiga. A caracterização dos agregados e do ligante mostrou-se concordante com vários estudos, exceto o resíduo da peneiração, que não atendeu à exigência do IBP (1999). Para os ensaios com as misturas asfálticas, empregaram-se três corpos de prova, pesando cada um deles cerca de 1.200 g, compactados com 75 golpes em cada uma de suas faces. Observou-se que a estabilidade e a fluência Marshall de 620 kgf e de 4,20 mm, respectivamente, superaram o limite mínimo recomendado na especificação de serviço do DNIT (2010a). Com relação aos ensaios de módulo de resiliência e de resistência à tração por compressão diametral, obtiveram-se os valores de 1.616 MPa e 0,44 MPa, respectivamente, quando se verificou que os resultados foram bem inferiores aos encontrados em misturas a quente. Esse mesmo comportamento foi observado no ensaio de fadiga que, na maioria dos níveis de tensão aplicados, foi inferior a 1.000 aplicações do carregamento.

ABSTRACT This paper presents the results of an experimental study that aimed to study the mechanical behavior of a cold bituminous mixture under effects of static and repeated loads. After the characterization of the aggregates and the binder employed in the study, it was performed the mixture from the dosage Marshall, obtaining the equivalent project content of 8.5% emulsion. In this emulsion content, several samples were shaped and subjected to the tests of resilient modulus, tensile strength by diametrical compression and fatigue. The characterization of aggregates and binder proved to be consistent with several studies, except the residue of the sifting that did not meet the requirement ofIBP (1999). For tests with the asphalt mixtures, three specimens were employed, each weighing about 1,200 g, compacted with 75 blows on each of their faces. It was observed that the Marshall stability and creep of 620 kgf and 4.20mm, respectively, exceeded the minimum threshold recommended by the service specification DNIT (2010a). With regard to tests of resilience modulus and tensile strength by diametral compression, values of 1,616 MPa and 0.44 MPa were obtained, respectively, verifying that the results were much lower than those found for hot mixtures. The same behavior was observed for the fatigue test that, for most levels of stress applied, was inferior to 1000 applications of loading.