Development of Performance Indicators for High-Performance Asphalt Concrete (HPAC) in Canada

This study aims to develop performance indicators for high-performance asphalt concrete (HPAC) in the Canadian context. HPAC is inspired from the French concept of high modulus asphalt concrete (HMAC) used for base layers of road structures, but its implementation in Canada is not trivial due to the combination of heavy traffic and extreme climate conditions. In this study, the performance of Quebec and French asphalt concretes (AC), including the French Enrobé à Module Élevé HMAC, was evaluated based on pavement design results obtained using local design methods. For the Canadian context, Chaussée2 and OPECC software were used, while ALIZE-LCPC software was employed for the French context. The influence of several parameters on expected pavement durability was studied: axle load, subgrade soil quality and AC mechanical properties (high-performance versus conventional materials). The comparison of service life results between conventional and high-performance AC led to the proposal of Improvement Performance Factors (IPF) for HPAC. The findings emphasize the need for further data collection and the revision of AC specifications in Quebec, as current standards lack criteria for mechanical properties (modulus and fatigue resistance) of conventional base course materials. Addressing this gap is essential for establishing clear performance indicators for HPAC in Canada.