Laboratory Investigation of an Alternative Permeability Indicator to Determine Optimal Maintenance Timing for Open-Graded Friction Course

Open-graded friction course (OGFC) is a low impact development practice that provides a better pavement drainage solution and safer driving conditions. However, there exists a gap in understanding how internal pores in OGFC mix affect hydraulic conductivity, particularly when OGFC suffers the most rutting damage under the effects of high temperature and heavy traffic loading. There is also a lack of research on determining the optimal maintenance timing for an OGFC pavement. This study aims at characterizing the relationship of volumetric and permeability properties for OGFC slab specimens and quantifying permeability deterioration over time using a developed precipitation simulator and permeability measuring device and rutting test. Seven test temperatures (40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, and 70°C) were considered in the rutting test. The effect of clogging material size on permeability was also evaluated. The test results suggested that interconnected air void was lower than total air void, and higher rutting temperature resulted in reduced interconnected air void. The clogging experiment suggested that 0.3–0.6 mm material caused the most clogging while 0.075–0.15 mm material caused the least clogging. Based on this study, it is recommended to use a field measured rut depth as an alternative permeability indicator for determining optimal maintenance timing for an OGFC pavement using the correlation established between permeability and rut depth. A case study of OGFC pavement demonstrated that when the field measured rut depth reached 4.5 mm or higher, timely maintenance is needed.