In the last years three experiments have been carried out with
LCPC accelerated loading facility to investigate the rutting resistance
of different wearing courses. As far as asphalt concretes were
concerned, attention was paid to the influence of the nature of
the binder, keeping the other parameters constant. The reference
mix was selected with a given proportion of rounded sand and a
50/70 pen grade pure bitumen. The performance of this material
was compared to mixes with polymer modified binders, special bitumen
and bitumen with additives. These materials were used in a 8 cm
thick surface layer. A comparison was also made with a high modulus
asphalt concrete as a bounding layer covered by a very thin bituminous
concrete. Depending on the experiments the loading axles were
single large wheels or common dual wheels. A heating system was
tested to increase the temperature in the pavement upper layers.
Data were obtained on the influence of the material type, loadings,
and temperature on rutting.