Investigation of Cracking Resistance of Asphalt Mixtures and Binders

Summary:

Researchers proposed four tests to evaluate the susceptibility of asphalt materials to cracking. All four generated repeatable results and were simple to run with standard lab equipment. Of the three mixture tests - bending beam rheometer (BBR) for creep and strength, semicircular bend (SCB) for fracture energy and dynamic modulus using an indirect tensile test configuration - the SCB compared well with the disk-shaped compact tension test, another new test that MnDOT has recently begun using. The BBR and dynamic modulus tests would replace traditional tests. The fourth test is a binder test using BBR, a new approach that can be used in binder selection.

Final Deliverables:

• Report #2019-03
• Research Summary

Related Materials:

• Testing Methods for Crack Resistance in Asphalt Materials  - (Blog Post)

Related Research: