Assessment of the resistance to crack propagation in asphaltic materials using the compact tension test

Title: Assessment of the resistance to crack propagation in asphaltic materials using the compact tension test
Author(s): A. C. Collop, A. J. Sewell, N. H. Thom
Paper category : conference
Book title: Fifth International RILEM Conference on Reflective Cracking in Pavements
Editor(s): C. Petit, I.L. Al-Qadi and A. Millien
Print-ISBN: 2-912143-47-0
e-ISBN: 2912143764
Publisher: RILEM Publications SARL
Publication year: 2004
Pages: 691 - 698
Total Pages: 8
Nb references: 11
Language: English

Abstract: This paper describes laboratory work undertaken to measure the resistance to crack propagation of bituminous materials comprising a range of binder grades from different sources using the Compact Tension (CT) test. Fracture Mechanics principles and the Paris Law have been used to quantify crack growth. A good correlation was found between the values of A and n and a good correlation was found between the value of A and the stiffness modulus of the asphaltic mixture. It was found that mixtures containing the nominal 15 Penetration grade binders were least sensitive to variations in stiffness of the mixture. The number of standard wheel loads required to cause a crack to propagate through the asphalt layer of a typical minor and major flexible pavement structure have been estimated using data from the CT testing and compared to predictions made using a more traditional strain-based approach. Results show that there is a good correlation between the stiffness modulus of the asphalt mixture and the predicted number of load applications to failure made using both the CT and ITFT data. Predictions made using the CT data show a higher sensitivity to both temperature and the stiffness of the asphaltic material compared to predictions made using the ITFT data.

Online publication: 2004-04-15
Publication type : full_text
Public price (Euros): 0.00