„Having been recently exposed to this technology, I have
concerns for how far we have fallen behind in this sphere... I am
not confident that we even have a measure
of the extent to which we need to catch up.“
(Prominent North American Asphalt Researcher
on ASPHALT EXPERT SYSTEM ®©, June 2002)
ASPHALT EXPERT SYSTEM®© is designed to allow
you to make rapid, measured decisions based on a clear understanding of all the
processed data and test results, and optimizes both mix designs and various
resources.
Q.
WHY ASPHALT EXPERT SYSTEM ®© IS “WE MUST HAVE
IT” SITUATION?
ASPHALT
EXPERT SYSTEM ®© HAS THE UNIQUE
CAPABILITY -
PROCESSING OF ENORMOUS NUMBER OF INFLUENTIAL
PARAMETERS, INCLUDING KEY FACTORS, IN ‘REAL TIME’,
PROVIDING PREDEFINED AND IF NEEDED PROMPTLY
UPDATED, BUT EQUALLY VALID, INTELLIGENT SOLUTIONS FOR 85-90% ISSUES
THAT MIGHT OCCUR IN THE FIELD.
·
The KEY PARAMETERS are usually ignored, played down, or not seen at all.
·
Such MENTAL POSITION inevitably leads toward
cumulative errors and consequently more or less obvious failures in the world
of asphalt reality.
· Even
if ONE becomes aware of such complex interrelations there is NO WAY TO COMPUTE
IT. Processing tools are missing.
· The
Only Solution Is: A Full Implementation
Of ASPHALT EXPERT SYSTEM ®© In
Own Business Environment.
In situation of ‘disarray’ when demands
are high and YOU stretch beyond horizon
and time for project completion shrinks, the speed and quality of intelligent
solutions offered by the ASPHALT EXPERT SYSTEM ®© becomes essential.
Q.
OK. But, Could You Be More Specific On The Subject?
1. Optimum Resource Management In The Asphalt Field Is Possible.
2. Optimum Resource Management comes down to Optimum Rational in Asphalt
Mix Design and Optimum Data Processing.
3. It Results In Asphalt Mix Functional
Constituents Related To EVERYTHING ELSE. THAT IS THE WAY!!!
4. Therefore, Obtained Optimum Composite Material Will Then Meet Most of
Bellow Specified Demands:
·
USER Demands: safety,
comfortable ride, full-functionality, accessibility
·
SURFACE LAYER Demands:
Proper Geometry, Friction, Noise
·
STRUCTURAL PAVEMENT
DESIGN Demands: Adequate Loading Capacity, Proper Structural Integrity
·
ASPHALT LAYER Demands:
Stiffness, Stability, Thermal Fatigue Resistance, Low Moisture Susceptibility
·
PRODUCTION &
CONSTRUCTION Demands: Equiviscose Temperatures in
Production and Laying Down, Optimum Workability and Optimum Uniformity
Achieving Parameters
·
INPUT MATERIAL Demands:
Aggregate, SKELETAL GRADING and other key characteristics, Binder
characteristics and Compatibility, Modifier characteristics and Compatibility
Needles
to say, each step in the process MUST BE Cost Effective.
Let us assume, we
have an Optimum Rational BUT NO Processing Capability.
Without This Last Element There Is A Great
Chance For Gravy Mistakes.
The TOTAL Number of Processed Parameters is
anywhere between 145 and 185.
It depends on both the type of Hot Mix
Asphalt Mix (HMA) and the Maximum Particle Size (MPS).
·
Some of those parameters are latent
and activated only as part of critical scenario development.
·
There is no purpose in attaching
the same level of importance to all of them.
·
Designer is safely led by ASPHALT
EXPERT SYSTEM ®© out of ’red’ zone
· A
user initially checks, tags, selects from combo box menus and various
customized d-bases already stored and updated corresponding parameters for own
specific ‘target’ case simulations.
·
Actual input of new data into dBases is reduced to a
minimum.
·
Variety of scenarios are played in less than 20-30
seconds, and
·
Out of all processed data only 5-10% are subject to a
change/modification.
NO
HUMAN MIND CAN DO RAPID INTELLIGENT DATA PROCESSING IN THE SAME OR SIMILAR
FASHION AS ASPHALT EXPERT SYSTEM ®© DOES , REGARDLESS OF ITS sound
‘brainstorming/intuitive’ POTENTIAL.
No Human Mind Could Accurately Extrapolate And Follow Logic Made Of
Variety of ‘WHAT Ifs’.
‘If This AND That OR This OR That...predicting and computing what would
happen with this set of data if one or more parameters change.
(Such data processing could be so complex that requires exceptional
skills employed without mental fatigue on the long run…All The Way Up to the
12th level for ‘If’. No, that is IMPOSSIBLE for average engineer or
researcher.)
That
Is WHY The Gap Was Successfully Closed By Development Of Computer Based
Sophisticated Optimization Technology That Does The Job and Delivers Highly
Accurate, ‘Finely Tuned’, Advanced Solutions for 85 – 90 % 0f The Issues In The
Following Fields:
·
Asphalt Mix Design,
·
Asphalt
·
Troubleshooting,
·
Diagnostics,
·
Constituents Suitability And
Compatibility Evaluation,
·
Modifiers Usefulness And Compatibility Evaluation, etc...
Once
again, ASPHALT EXPERT SYSTEM ®© is designed to allow
you to make rapid, measured decisions based on a clear understanding of all the
processed data and test results, and optimizes both mix designs and various
resources.
THERE
ARE THREE (3) ‘BUILT-IN’ SOFTWARE MODES OF OPTIMIZATIONS. ASPHALT EXPERT SYSTEM ®© ALLOWS YOU TO CARRY OUT ANY DESIRED LEVEL OF OPTIMIZATION. ALL DATA ARE
RELATED TO THE FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENTS - i.e. RATIONAL ASPHALT MODEL.
THE
FOLLOWING DATA ARE PROCESSED:
PAVEMENT Structure,
Traffic, Environment: layer type and position 2, max particle
size 1, NMPS 1, lift thickness 1, load duration and type 2, climate factors
(high, low) 2 > 9
AM COMPOSITION -
GENERAL: used binder type 1, level of porosity in grains 1,
‘0’ fraction 1, modifier participation 1-2, granular material participation 1
In Average 5
INPUT MATERIAL: Aggregates, Binder, Modifiers:
AGGREGATES:
Pre-selection Criteria 8, Fractions Grading (3-8), Densities w/o Pores,
Porosities of Sub-fractions; FILLER zone: Densities w/o Pores, Voids in
BINDER:
Origin & Processing 3, Selection / Pavement T Determination Criteria 5, Rheological and Relevant Physical Properties (Density,
R&B, Penetration, Viscosity at 135 and 160C, Delta R&B, Direct Tensile
Test, Bending Beam Rheometer) 8 > 16
MODIFIERS:
density, grading, porosity, interactive index, specifics
In Average > 8
COMPOSITION QUALITY and PERFORMANCE EVALUATION:
RELATIONAL CONSTITUENTS -
FUNCTIONAL DESIGN: Composition 9
REAL OPTIMIZATION
CRITERIA (Skeletal Aggregates Part 2, Effective Ratio of Rigid
and Soft Phase 2, Index of Re-granulation 1, Integral 1, Grading Curve ‘Shape’
1, Designed Voids 1, Condition of Plasticity 2, Condition of Cohesiveness 2,
Moisture Sensitivity 2, Film Thickness 2, ‘Steric’
Expansion Rigid Phase Index 1) > 17
INDIRECTLY INCLUDED
PARAMETERS: inner friction level, macro-texture, adherence,
anti-stripping index, closed/open voids ratio & structure >
5
MANUFACTURING and
PLACEMENT (QUALITY ASSURANCE):
PRODUCTION:
CONSTRUCTABILITY &
ANTI-SEGGREGATION CRITERIA: Site Ambient (Humidity 1, T
Differentials 1, T Gradients - Drop, Wind Factor 2), Storage-Hauling (Extensive
Silo Time 1, Shipping Time 1, PROPER RE-MIXING 1, Compatible Technology 1) >
8
PLACEMENT:
Procedure - Type of Equipment 3, Weight 3, Distance 3,
STATE SPECIFICATIONS
Grading Limits 2, VTM 2,
VFA 2, VMA 2, Derivations 4, Compactability 1
> 11
INPUT MATERIAL PRICES (f.o.b.)
Binder 1, Added Filler 1,
Fractions 2-5, Modifier 1-2 Average >
6
AVERAGE TOTAL NUMBER OF INFLUENTIAL VARIABLES: 175
The Choice Is Yours!!! 