ANALYSIS AND SELECTION OF STONE MASTIC ASPHALT (SMA) MIXTURES IN PAVEMENT SURFACING FOR DIFFERENT TYPES OF ROADS
Abstract
In the selection of asphalt layers for pavement surfacing, the proper choice of the gradation of the asphalt mixture
and the nominal maximum aggregate size significantly affects the properties of the asphalt layer and its performance in
service. This paper analyses the application of stone mastic asphalt (SMA) mixtures and the criteria for their proper
selection with respect to their position within the pavement structure (wearing and binder course) and the intended use of
the traffic surface (motorways, expressways, urban roads, and airport manoeuvring areas). For the purpose of performance
comparison, laboratory testing was carried out on SMA 8, SMA 11, and SMA 16 mixtures, and the obtained results enable
a reliable assessment of their behaviour under dynamic loading conditions characteristic of pavement structures. The
analysed characteristics represent key parameters for selecting the appropriate type of SMA mixture. The paper's
conclusions may serve as practical guidance for designers in defining the type of SMA to use in pavement surfacing, as
well as for investors when formulating project requirements and conditions in tender documentation.
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