1. Introduction
1.1 Handbook Purpose and Organization
The purpose of this Asphalt Paving Handbook is to provide comprehensive technical information and best practices related to the paving of asphalt mixtures for both roadway and airfield projects. The goal is to keep the discussion focused on practical aspects that have the greatest effect on the quality and long-term performance of the finished pavement.
Asphalt paving success cannot be accomplished with simply good paving and compaction operations. Success also depends on appropriate structural design, proper materials selection, mix design, plant production, surface preparation, and quality assurance (QA). Using best practices in each of these phases results in asphalt pavements that are built to last.
The Airport Asphalt Pavement Technology Program (AAPTP), a cooperative effort between the National Asphalt Pavement Association (NAPA) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), produced this Handbook for those involved in asphalt paving production, construction, and QA programs. This includes personnel representing the contractor, user agency or owner, and consultants. In particular, the target audience includes inspectors, project engineers, designers, superintendents, foremen, paving crews, plant operators, and testing technicians.
This Handbook’s target audience includes inspectors, project engineers, designers, superintendents, foremen, paving crews, plant operators, and testing technicians.
The Handbook’s discussion of referenced specifications and test methods is current as of the publication date. Readers should review current specifications to ascertain any pertinent changes that may have occurred since that time.
The first edition of this Handbook was published in 1991 by the Transportation Research Board with financial support from the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO), FAA, the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), NAPA, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE). In 2000, the National Research Council appointed a committee of experts from agencies, producers, and contractors to update the Handbook. Since its inception, the Handbook has served as a longstanding, venerable reference used across the asphalt paving industry to promulgate good practices. This current edition provides a much-needed update to incorporate the latest technology, equipment, methods, and standards.
The organization of this latest edition has changed substantially from previous editions, now consisting of 12 chapters covering the process of an asphalt paving project from start to finish. This Handbook includes many “between chapter” references where topics have different aspects covered in multiple chapters. Referencing the discussion in other chapter(s) minimizes duplicate discussions.
Following this Chapter 1 introduction, Chapter 2 provides a brief review of project organization. The role of materials and the mix design relative to mixture behavior is covered in Chapter 3. A discussion of how the mix design performed in the lab will likely differ from the mix produced in the field also occurs in Chapter 3, including some discussion of the adjustments that will be needed.
Mix production at the plant is covered in Chapter 4 in a more abbreviated manner than previous editions of the Handbook to keep it proportional with other topics. Chapter 5 covers the proper preparation of the surface to be paved over, whether it be a new granular base or an existing asphalt or concrete pavement. This includes details on prime coats and tack coats. Delivery of the mixture from the plant to the jobsite is covered in Chapter 6, including equipment types and proper loading and unloading procedures.
Chapter 7 discusses mix placement on the jobsite. The chapter covers equipment, procedures, and grade and slope control, including automation. Chapter 8 is a thorough discussion on compaction of the mat, including roller types, factors that affect compaction, and establishing a rolling pattern. Both longitudinal and transverse joints are discussed in Chapter 9, with heavy emphasis on best practices for placing and compacting joints.
Chapter 10 has been added to provide a dedicated and more thorough discussion on the critical topic of segregation, including possible sources and corrective measures. Chapter 11 covers the complex topic of QA, providing essential fundamentals for the many ways an agency approaches quality control (QC) and acceptance in its specifications and procedures. Finally, Chapter 12 focuses on the many possible mat problems that may occur, in addition to segregation as covered in Chapter 10.
To complement the written guidance in this Handbook, the AAPTP produced a series of 30 videos highlighting key topics covered in the chapters. Filmed at active airfield projects across the United States, these 3- to 5-minute videos demonstrate best practices in the field and feature perspectives from industry professionals. A video icon next to a chapter or section heading signals when a related video is available. A complete list of the videos, with direct links, is provided in the Appendix.