International Journal of Engineering and Technology

Open-graded friction courses (OGFC) are special purpose thin surface mixtures of hot mix asphalt (HMA) pavement that is increasingly being used around the world. Owing to its safety aspects, OGFC is being regularly used as final riding surface on interstate and high speed expressways by different highway agencies in United States, including Alabama Department of Transportation. OGFC pavements in Alabama are facing premature failure due to different reasons. Loss of durability and functionality causes failure of OGFC pavements. Thus, research is needed to improve the durability of OGFC and enhance its beneficial properties. This research proposes methods to improve the durability of OGFC mixtures through laboratory performance testing. Aggregate gradation and layer thickness significantly affected the durability of the OGFC surfaces in general, especially the layer thickness. The Hamburg test indicated a 50-60% higher resistance to moisture damage of OGFC pavement with increase in thickness from 19 mm to 38 mm. The Cantabro stone loss of OGFC pavements is reduced 10-50% with increase in thickness from 19 mm to 38 mm. The permeability tests results indicated 12-100% increase in permeability with increase in thickness of OGFC pavement from 19 mm to 38 mm. Indirect tensile strength tests indicated 50-300% increase in strength with increase in thickness of OGFC pavement from 19 mm to 38 mm.