The degradation behavior of aggregate skeleton in stone matrix asphalt mixture was investigated based on theoretical analysis, laboratory test and field materials evaluation. A stress-transfer model was established to provide the fundamental understanding of the stress distribution and degradation mechanism of stone matrix asphalt (SMA) aggregate skeleton. Based on the theoretical analysis, crushing test and superpave gyratory compactor (SGC) test were used to evaluate the degradation behavior of aggregate skeleton of SMA. To verify the laboratory test results, gradation analysis was also conducted for the field materials extracted from SMA pavements after long-time service. The results indicate that the degradation of SMA aggregate skeleton is not random but has fixed internal trend and mechanism. Special rule is found for the graded fine aggregates generated from coarse aggregate breakdown and the variation of 4.75 mm aggregate is found to play a key role in the graded aggregates to form well-balanced skeleton to bear external loading. The variation of 4.75 mm aggregate together with the breakdown ratio of aggregate gradation can be used to characterize the degradation behavior of aggregate skeleton. The crushing test and SGC test are proved to be promising in estimating the degradation behavior of SMA skeleton.
Based on laboratory tests and field materials evaluation, the inner frictional resistance of SMA skeleton was investigated and then the degradation behaviour of SMA skeleton was characterized for recycling purpose. Inner frictional resistance test was designed to investigate the skeleton characteristics of SMA aggregate mixture. The experimental results indicate that SMA skeleton has much stronger inner frictional resistance than AC skeleton, and coarse aggregates provide main contributions to the inner frictional resistance of SMA skeleton. Crushing test and superpave gyratory compactor(SGC) test were designed to reveal the degradation behaviour of SMA skeleton. To verify the laboratory characterization, field materials were also evaluated. The results indicate that the degradation of SMA skeleton is not random but has fixed internal trend, especially the 4.75mm aggregate plays a key role in the graded aggregates. Based on the testing results, it can be concluded that long-term repeated loading can cause degradation of SMA skeleton. However, the gradation does not keep deteriorating under repeated loading. When the inner frictional resistance is small enough, outside pressure will cause flow deformation of skeleton instead of degradation. Thus, well-designed SMA aggregate mixture is valuable for recycling after long-term in service. And it is important to restore the skeleton, especially the coarse aggregate part.
