Thickness Analysis of Stone Mastic Asphalt (SMA) Slab Compacted Using a Newly Developed Roller Compactor

Pavement mix design procedures and specifications are usually derived from laboratory experiments. Therefore, laboratory experiments should be able to simulate to a high degree the conditions in the field, especially in term of compaction procedures. Based on literature reviews and analysis of past studies, it can be concluded that there are no exact method for laboratory compaction that can simulate field compaction procedures. Turamesin, a newly developed laboratory compaction device has been designed to provide a solution to the problem of producing laboratory specimens which are representative of materials laid and compacted in the field. This study reports on the evaluation of the thickness of the compacted slabs and analysis of the consistency of the measured parameter. A total of 15 slabs from three different types of asphalt binders, namely Grade 60/70, Grade PG76 and Grade 80/100 were prepared, measured and analyzed. Based on statistical analysis conducted, the compacted slabs were found to have an average area of 590 mm of length by 500 mm of width and thickness ranging from 60 mm to 68 mm. The compacted slabs were found to have problems in terms of the difference in thickness between left-side and right-side of the slab that occurred due to unequal load distribution from the roller compactor. The results obtained from this study will lead to development of Turamesin as an improved laboratory compaction device.