Introduction. Asphalt concrete is the most common material for arranging road pavement layers. The significant advantages of asphalt concrete include high performance characteristics, relatively high technical indicators, suitability for regeneration, etc. At the same time, asphalt concrete also has disadvantages, one of which is the significant dependence of strength and deformation characteristics on ambient temperature.
Problem statement. Currently, there are no clear criteria for the selection of bitumen in Ukraine that would take into account the conditions of asphalt concrete in the design of pavement structure, but the first steps are already being taken in this direction. The purpose of this work was to practically determine the required properties of bitumen in accordance with the previously proposed algorithms.
Objective. Practical determination of the required properties of bitumen in accordance with the previously proposed algorithms.
Materials and methods. Analysis of the algorithm for determining the required properties of bitumen, climatic conditions of asphalt concrete and calculation of the required bitumen grade when designing a pavement structure.
Results. Suggestions for improving the algorithm for selecting bitumen when designing a pavement structure are provided. An analysis of the climatic conditions of asphalt concrete operation and the calculation of the required bitumen grade according to performance indicators when designing a pavement structure for a conditional road section were performed. A system for selecting bitumen by penetration classification based on established performance indicators is proposed.
Conclusions. The proposed algorithm for determining the required bitumen grade when designing a pavement structure can be used to determine the bitumen grade both by performance and penetration classification.
At the same time, this algorithm needs to be refined in terms of accepting the level of reliability depending on the category of the road, as well as setting the values of refinement depending on the traffic load.
The application of the above algorithm will allow the selection of bitumen taking into account climatic conditions, traffic load, and the location of asphalt concrete in the pavement structure, which should ensure the heat and crack resistance of asphalt concrete and contribute to the durability of asphalt concrete layers.
