The temperature at which the pavement can support traffic without deforming or flushing is generally around what temperature?

• A. 100°F
• B. 120°F
• C. 140°F
• D. 160°F

Answer: (C)

The temperature at which pavement can adequately support traffic without deforming or flushing is typically around 140°F. At this temperature, the asphalt binder within the pavement reaches a level of viscosity that allows it to maintain its structural integrity under load.

When temperatures are too low, the binder can become brittle, leading to cracking, while excessively high temperatures can cause softening and deformation, such as ruts or flushing. At 140°F, the material offers a balance between workability during installation and resistance to deformation during service, making it the threshold where performance is optimized. This knowledge is crucial for paving inspectors to ensure that pavement can endure the expected loads without compromising its structural reliability.