REFLECTIVE CRACK RELIEF LAYER THAT IS PERMEABLE

A design method for making a bituminous mixture that is used to form a vapor - permeable layer of pavement is provided. This design procedure includes preparing one or more bituminous mixture test specimens, measuring the performance of these specimens, and selecting a desirable bituminous mixture for paving that is vapor-permeable based on the performance of the specimens . Another aspect of the present invention is the selected bituminous mixture, which includes aggregate and a bituminous binder. The aggregate should be selected such that no more than about (5%) by mass of the aggregate and preferably no more than about (3.5%) by mass of the aggregate is able to pas s through a (75) .mu.m sieve. The selected bituminous mixture should have an A ir Permeability Value that is at least about (8) cm2 so as to reduce its propensity for blistering during and after construction. Still further, the selected bituminous mixture should have desirable fatigue resistance and should be substantially water-impermeable.