Superpave Mix Design Tests Methods and Requirements

Superpave is an acronym for Superior Performing Asphalt Pavements. It is the product of the Strategic Highway Research Program. Superpave includes a new mixture design and analysis system based on performance characteristics of the pavement. It is a multi-faceted system with a tiered approach to designing asphalt mixtures based on desired performance. There is a great deal of work underway to refine and validate the existing Superpave requirements. The National Cooperative Research Program, Federal Highway Administration, and the State Departments of Transportation are all working on filling the gaps and improving the way we specify, design and build our asphalt pavements. Superpave is only the beginning not the end of our road to true performance based design and construction specifications. Superpave has put us well ahead on that road, but there will always be things to improve on.