Stone Mastic Asphalt vs. Open-Graded Friction Course: A Comparative Analysis of Asphalt Pavement Types

Last Updated May 20, 2025

Stone Mastic Asphalt (SMA) provides superior rut resistance and durability through a dense, stone-on-stone skeleton, making it ideal for high-traffic areas. Open-Graded Friction Course (OGFC) enhances surface drainage and skid resistance by using a porous structure, improving safety in wet conditions. While SMA excels in structural strength and longevity, OGFC is preferred for its ability to reduce hydroplaning and improve noise reduction.

Table of Comparison

Feature Stone Mastic Asphalt (SMA) Open-Graded Friction Course (OGFC)
Purpose Durable, rut-resistant surface designed for high traffic loads Improves surface friction and reduces hydroplaning with high permeability
Texture Dense, gap-graded with coarse aggregate matrix Porous, open-graded aggregate structure
Permeability Low permeability for durability High permeability for water drainage
Skid Resistance Good skid resistance with durable aggregate Excellent skid resistance, especially in wet conditions
Durability High resistance to deformation and fatigue cracking Moderate durability; may require more maintenance
Noise Reduction Moderate noise reduction due to dense structure Significant noise reduction from open texture
Typical Applications Highways, heavy traffic urban roads Highways, ramps, intersections needing enhanced drainage
Cost Higher initial cost due to specialized mix design Moderate cost, varying by gradation and binder

Introduction to Stone Mastic Asphalt and Open-Graded Friction Course

Stone Mastic Asphalt (SMA) is a durable, rut-resistant pavement mixture characterized by a coarse aggregate skeleton and rich mortar binder, designed to enhance load-bearing capacity and long-term performance. Open-Graded Friction Course (OGFC) features a porous structure with high air voids, promoting water drainage and improving surface friction for safer driving conditions. Both SMA and OGFC serve distinct roles in pavement engineering, with SMA focusing on structural strength and OGFC optimizing surface texture and skid resistance.

Key Material Composition Differences

Stone Mastic Asphalt (SMA) features a high concentration of coarse aggregate, filler, and a strong binder-rich mortar that provides durability and rut resistance, with a dense-graded structure designed for heavy traffic loadings. Open-Graded Friction Course (OGFC) utilizes a more porous aggregate framework with fewer fines and a lower binder content, maximizing void space to enhance water drainage and improve surface friction. The fundamental material composition differences lie in SMA's dense matrix for strength versus OGFC's open structure for permeability and skid resistance.

Performance Characteristics Comparison

Stone Mastic Asphalt (SMA) offers superior rut resistance and durability due to its coarse aggregate skeleton and high binder content, making it ideal for heavy traffic conditions. Open-Graded Friction Course (OGFC) excels in permeability and skid resistance, effectively reducing water spray and improving surface safety in wet conditions. While SMA provides enhanced structural performance and longevity, OGFC is preferred for its drainage capabilities and improved friction on road surfaces.

Durability and Longevity Analysis

Stone Mastic Asphalt (SMA) exhibits superior durability due to its dense matrix and high binder content, providing enhanced resistance to rutting and deformation under heavy traffic loads. In contrast, Open-Graded Friction Course (OGFC) offers excellent water drainage and skid resistance but typically experiences reduced longevity because of its porous structure, which is more vulnerable to moisture damage and aging. The longevity of SMA pavements generally surpasses OGFC, making SMA a preferred choice for high-traffic, long-lasting road surfaces.

Skid Resistance and Surface Texture

Stone Mastic Asphalt (SMA) provides superior skid resistance due to its coarse aggregate skeleton and rich mortar binder, creating a durable, rough surface texture that improves tire grip under wet conditions. Open-Graded Friction Course (OGFC) features a porous structure that enhances surface drainage, reducing hydroplaning risks but offering less aggregate interlock and slightly lower skid resistance compared to SMA. The combination of SMA's robust surface texture and OGFC's permeability optimizes road safety by balancing skid resistance and water drainage performance.

Noise Reduction Capabilities

Stone Mastic Asphalt (SMA) features a dense, gap-graded structure that provides strong durability and moderate noise reduction by limiting tire-pavement interaction. Open-Graded Friction Course (OGFC) uses a porous surface allowing air to escape beneath tires, significantly reducing noise levels and enhancing skid resistance. Noise reduction capabilities are generally superior in OGFC due to its air void design, which attenuates tire noise more effectively than the compacted texture of SMA.

Water Drainage and Permeability

Stone Mastic Asphalt (SMA) features a dense aggregate matrix combined with high binder content, resulting in low permeability and limited water drainage capacity, making it ideal for durable, rut-resistant pavements. Open-Graded Friction Course (OGFC) offers high permeability due to its interconnected void structure, enhancing water drainage by allowing rapid surface water runoff and reducing hydroplaning risks. While SMA prioritizes structural strength and durability against deformation, OGFC emphasizes improved safety through superior surface water evacuation.

Typical Applications and Use Cases

Stone Mastic Asphalt (SMA) is commonly used for heavy-traffic roads and highways due to its high durability and resistance to deformation, making it ideal for areas subjected to heavy loads and harsh weather conditions. Open-Graded Friction Course (OGFC) is primarily applied on surface layers of urban streets and highways to improve skid resistance and enhance drainage, reducing hydroplaning risks in wet conditions. Both asphalt types serve distinct functional purposes: SMA focuses on structural strength and longevity, while OGFC targets surface safety and water runoff management.

Maintenance and Lifecycle Costs

Stone Mastic Asphalt (SMA) offers longer service life and lower maintenance costs due to its dense, rut-resistant structure, reducing the frequency of repairs compared to Open-Graded Friction Course (OGFC). While OGFC provides superior drainage and skid resistance, it requires more frequent surface treatments and crack sealing to maintain performance, increasing lifecycle expenses. Choosing SMA can lead to cost savings over time by minimizing maintenance interventions and extending pavement durability.

Environmental Impact Assessment

Stone Mastic Asphalt (SMA) demonstrates superior durability and reduced maintenance frequency compared to Open-Graded Friction Course (OGFC), lowering overall resource consumption and carbon emissions throughout the pavement lifecycle. SMA's dense matrix reduces permeability, limiting water runoff contamination and enhancing stormwater management, while OGFC's porous structure promotes infiltration but may lead to faster degradation and higher lifecycle emissions. Environmental Impact Assessments highlight SMA's potential for longer service life and reduced environmental burden despite OGFC's contribution to noise reduction and surface water drainage.

Stone Mastic Asphalt vs Open-Graded Friction Course Infographic

Stone Mastic Asphalt vs. Open-Graded Friction Course: A Comparative Analysis of Asphalt Pavement Types


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The information provided in this document is for general informational purposes only and is not guaranteed to be complete. While we strive to ensure the accuracy of the content, we cannot guarantee that the details mentioned are up-to-date or applicable to all scenarios. Topics about Stone Mastic Asphalt vs Open-Graded Friction Course are subject to change from time to time.

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