Fracture resistance characterization of Superpave mixtures using the semi-circular bending test
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
3-1-2005
Abstract
The fracture resistance of asphalt mixture is an important property directly related to pavement distresses, such as cracking. This paper reports the investigation of a newly-developed semicircular bending (SCB) test as a candidate test for the fracture resistance characterization of asphalt mixtures. Thirteen Superpave mixtures, designed with four different binder types (AC-30, PAC-40, PG70-22M, and PG76-22M) and four different compaction levels (N design = 75, 97, 109, and 125), were considered in this study. The SCB tests were conducted at 25°C using a three-point bending fixture in a MTS testing system. The fracture resistance was analyzed based on an elasto-plastic fracture mechanics concept of critical strain energy release rate, also called the critical value of J-integral (J c). Preliminary results indicate that the J c values were fairly sensitive to changes in binder type and nominal maximum aggregate size (NMAS) used in Superpave mixtures. This study suggests that the SCB test could be a valuable correlative tool in the evaluation of fracture resistance of asphalt mixtures. Copyright © 2005 by ASTM International.
Publication Source (Journal or Book title)
Journal of ASTM International
First Page
135
Last Page
149
Recommended Citation
Wu, Z., Mohammad, L., Wang, L., & Mull, M. (2005). Fracture resistance characterization of Superpave mixtures using the semi-circular bending test. Journal of ASTM International, 2 (3), 135-149. https://doi.org/10.1520/JAI12264