College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

Term of Award

Spring 2026

Degree Name

Master of Science, Civil Engineering

Document Type and Release Option

Thesis (restricted to Georgia Southern)

Copyright Statement / License for Reuse

Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.

Department

Department of Civil Engineering and Construction

Committee Chair

Junan Shen

Committee Member 1

Xiaoming Yang

Committee Member 2

Soonkie Nam

Abstract

Rutting remains one of the most critical distresses in asphalt pavements, particularly under high temperatures and heavy traffic loading. This study evaluates the high-temperature rutting resistance of Stone Matrix Asphalt (SMA-12.5) and Porous European Mixture (PEM-12.5) using the Ideal Rutting Test (IDEAL-RT) and investigates its correlation with the Hamburg Wheel Tracking Test (HWTT).

Laboratory testing was performed on both mixtures prepared with PG 64-22, PG 76-22 (polymer-modified), and PG 64-22 modified with 10% Ground Tire Rubber (GTR). Strong correlations were observed between IDEAL-RT parameters (Rutting Tolerance Index and shear strength) and HWTT results (rut depth and Rutting Resistance Index), with coefficients of determination (R²) exceeding 0.92. Additionally, the binder rutting parameter (G*/sin δ) exhibited excellent correlations with both IDEAL-RT and HWTT performance indicators (R² ≈ 0.92-0.97).

The primary objective of this study was to assess the suitability of the IDEAL-RT as a rapid and reliable surrogate test for evaluating the high-temperature rutting resistance of asphalt mixtures and to establish its correlation with the established Hamburg Wheel Tracking Test.

Research Data and Supplementary Material

No

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Available for download on Wednesday, December 30, 2026

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