Multi-scale mechanical and acoustic characterization of low noise pavements

Using data on in situ performance of low noise pavements, three well performing mixtures were selected: SDA 4, SDA 6, and SDA 8. These mixtures and the corresponding mastic (filler + bitumen + additive) were tested for their mechanical and acoustic performance in non-aged and aged states using a multi-scale approach (mm to km). Thereafter, an optimization protocol was applied to these mastics (mm-scale) and promising combinations were implemented at the mixture scale (cm-scale). As a result, the best performing mixture parameters were implemented in the m-scale slabs where the mechanical and acoustic performance were determined. The proposed work could uniquely combine knowledge from in situ long term and laboratory performance of low noise pavements. Using a traffic simulator and measurements before and after trafficking, the acoustic modeling showed that the modified mixtures’ noise levels were maintained after loading. This indicates that the modification assured acoustical integrity of the mixture after loading.