Characterization of porous friction course mixes for different Marshall compaction efforts

Porous friction courses (PFCs) are mainly recommended as surface drainage layers on high-speed road-corridors and runway pavements. Permeability and sound attenuation characteristics are considered to be the indices for performance assessment of PFCs. One of the reasons for the loss of permeability in PFCs is densification under heavy traffic. But, resistance to ravelling too, is of main concern in the case of under-compacted PFCs. This paper summarises the details of laboratory investigation on the characterization of PFC mixes corresponding to four different gradations and two binder contents, for three levels of the Marshall compaction. The findings of the investigation suggest that the selection of the compaction level for PFC mix design should be based on the design traffic level, and the gradation selected.