Which statement best describes mineral aggregate in asphalt pavement?

• A. Is made up entirely of natural materials and has no impact on performance.
• B. Has a moderate influence on pavement performance and accounts for about half the weight.
• C. Has a great influence on the performance of asphalt pavement, comprising 90% to 96% of the mixture weight and 82% to 88% of the aggregate volume.
• D. Is independent of mixture weight and volume.

Answer: (C)

Mineral aggregate is the dominant component in asphalt pavement, driving most of its structural performance. In a typical asphalt mixture, aggregate makes up roughly 90–96% of the mixture by weight and about 82–88% of the solid volume, so the properties of the aggregate largely determine stiffness, load transfer, durability, and resistance to rutting and cracking. Because it governs how the mix packs, compacts, and responds to traffic and weather, the shape, hardness, gradation, and porosity of the aggregate have a strong influence on performance. The asphalt binder, though essential for coating and binding particles together, represents only a small fraction by weight and does not dominate the structural behavior, even though its film thickness and adhesion affect workability, aging, and moisture performance. That’s why the statement describing mineral aggregate as a major weight and volume fraction that greatly influences performance best captures its role in the mixture.