ABSTRACT
Open-Graded Friction Courses (OGFC) have gained a wider acceptance in road construction practices in comparison to conventional dense-graded courses (HMA), due to their high air void contents that allow water to be removed from the pavement through the asphalt layer. This capability is directly related to the Air Voids (AV) content and its connectivity. Nevertheless, both functionality and durability progressively might suffer changes as soon as the pavement is on service. Problems related with clogging, raveling and even rutting, are considered the primary distresses affecting permeability of OGFC. The experimental research conducted herein is performed through conventional laboratory tests, X-ray Rotational Computed Tomography Angiography contrast-enhanced (RCTA) and image analyses are conducted on OGFC samples. This paper aims at measuring permeability flow in OGFC by means of total air voids content and water-accessible AV, along with geometrical data obtained from X-ray Rotational Computed Tomography Angiography. Finally, the results demonstrate the reliability of this technique to measure permeability in OGFC.
