Investigation of Low Temperature Cracking in Asphalt Pavements National Pooled Fund Study - Phase II Status: CompleteReport Date: 08/31/2012 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: Report #2012-23 Research Summary Related Materials: Improving Asphalt Pavements in Cold Climates - (Video/Webinar) Related Research: Disc Shaped Compact Tension (DCT) Specifications Development for Asphalt Pavement