Date of Award

2025

Document Type

Open Access Master's Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science in Civil Engineering (MS)

Administrative Home Department

Department of Civil, Environmental, and Geospatial Engineering

Advisor 1

Zhanping You

Committee Member 1

Shihui Shen

Committee Member 2

Robert M. Handler

Abstract

Traditional volumetric asphalt mix design methods, such as Superpave, frequently struggle to address critical performance parameters, leading many agencies to seek more robust approaches. Balanced Mix Design (BMD) has emerged as a forward-looking alternative by directly measuring rutting and cracking resistance in the laboratory. In this study, BMD principles were applied to asphalt mixtures featuring three distinct NMAS mixes and two high content rubber mixes, introduced through both dry and semi-wet processes. Compared with conventional volumetric constraints, BMD provided greater flexibility in adjusting binder content and gradation to accommodate elevated crumb-rubber levels. The resulting mixtures satisfied both rutting and cracking thresholds more consistently than those designed under Superpave criteria, demonstrating BMD’s capability to integrate substantial recycled materials without compromising performance. The successful utilization of up to 24% crumb rubber underscores the potential for higher waste-tire reuse in asphalt pavements, contributing to circular economy targets. In parallel, Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) were leveraged to calculate the Global Warming Potential (GWP) of each BMD-optimized mixture. By aligning GWP analyses with mechanical performance tests, the study introduces preliminary GWP threshold values tied to BMD criteria. This approach ensures that mixtures achieving balanced resistance to rutting and cracking also align with broader environmental objectives, such as reducing carbon footprints in infrastructure projects. The findings thus highlight BMD’s dual benefits: it not only optimizes mechanical performance but also accommodates sustainability imperatives, surpassing the limitations of purely volumetric methods. Taken as a whole, this research positions BMD as a versatile, future-oriented framework for the design of high-performing, low-impact asphalt pavements.

Available for download on Wednesday, June 17, 2026

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