Performance tests are used to correlate asphalt mix design with actual field performance.
Superpave is a performance-based specification for asphalt binder and volumetric mix design rather than a specific process or procedure. The system consists of three components:
- Asphalt binder properties. System to classify asphalt binder according to its performance response to temperatures and aging properties
- A design system based on traffic loading and environmental conditions
- Mixed design system and analysis tests for performance prediction models
Superpave uses modern asphalt paving technology to develop mixtures that are more resistant to cracking from low temperature and fatigue factors and to reduce permanent deformation. Superpave means hybrid designs can be tailored for better performance and longer life depending on the extremes of a geographic area, traffic loads, and road or highway use.