Investigation of Low Temperature Cracking in Asphalt Pavements National Pooled Fund Study - Phase II

Summary:

Researchers developed fracture mechanics-based specifications for determining the low temperature properties of asphalt mixtures using the disk-shaped compact tension (DCT) test and semi-circular bend (SCB) test; continued Phase I testing of additional samples using recycled and other materials; investigated the physical hardening effects for modified asphalt binders; proposed and validated a method for obtaining mixture creep compliance from DCT and SCB results; and developed a new thermal cracking model, the ILLI-TC, a significant step forward in accurately quantifying the cracking mechanism in pavements. *Note: This project received the 2013 Research Partnership Award from the University of Minnesota's Center for Transportation Studies. (Watch a short video about the project.)

Final Deliverables:

• Investigation of Low Temperature Cracking in Asphalt Pavements National Pooled Fund Study - Phase II (Report #2012-23)
• Pooling Our Research: Designing Asphalt Pavements That Resist Cracking at Low Temperatures (Research Summary)

Related Materials:

• Improving Asphalt Pavements in Cold Climates  (Video/Webinar)

Related Research:

• Disc Shaped Compact Tension (DCT) Specifications Development for Asphalt Pavement

Project Personnel:

Principal Investigator:  Mihai Marasteanu

Co-Principal Investigator:  Hussain Bahia, Bill Buttlar

Technical Liaison:  Timothy Clyne

Project Coordinator:  Bruce Holdhusen

Panel Members: 
Barry Paye - Wisconsin DOT
Benjamin Worel - Materials & Road Research
Carol Culver - Iowa Department of Transportation
Christopher Euler - New York DOT
David Kilpatrick - Connecticut DOT
Eddie Johnson - Materials & Road Research
James McGraw - Materials & Road Research
John Hinrichsen - Iowa DOT
Leonard Makowski - Wisconsin DOT
Mark Watson - Materials & Road Research
Roger Olson - Materials & Road Research
Ron Horner - North Dakota DOT
Scott Schram - Iowa Dept. of Transportation