ABSTRACT
Due to the physical and structural variety of bituminous pavement materials and the wide range of application in terms of loading and climatic conditions, a great number of different tests methods is now applied worldwide, either based on an empirical, technological, physical or a performance background. Consequently, the selection of suitable testing methods for the design of bituminous pavement materials on performance based requirements is a much more complicated subject than might appear at first sight. However, not only the test procedures are of importance but rather the full methodology beginning with the characterization of the base components, including the mixture design and performance prediction testing procedures and ending with general technical requirements based on full-scale validation and performance testing in the field. Hence, a methodology using a set of homogeneous and complementary operations has to be established leading to clear decisions based on objective criteria and technical assessments relevant to the problem to be solved.
