Bitumen Selection Approach Assessing its Resistance to Low Temperature Cracking

Low temperature cracking or thermal cracking is one of the most important distresses in asphalt pavements located in cold regions. The development of it results in higher pavement roughness, faster pavement deterioration and requires millions of euros of repair and maintenance annually. The proper bitumen selection for asphalt mixture production restricts the formation of low temperature cracking. However, most designers do not consider bitumen susceptibility to low temperature cracking, because additional laboratory tests need to be carried out and supplementary cost and time in asphalt mixture selection are required. Consequently, this paper is focused on an approach on how to select bitumen, assessing its resistance to low temperature cracking in easy and fast way. First, 11 bitumens of which 6 bitumens were polymer modified bitumens, were investigated. The critical temperature of bitumen, below which low temperature cracking occurs in the pavement, was calculated based on bending beam rheometer (BBR) experimental data by the American Association of State and Highway Transportation (AASHTO) specifications. The performance grades (PG) low limits of bitumens were also determined using 3 °C step. The performance grade low limit varied from -16 °C up to -28 °C. Four polymer modified bitumens were not prone to low temperature cracking, even at -28 °C temperature. Second, Lithuania was divided into 3 zones according to minimum pavement temperature. It gave the possibility for designers to choose bitumen assessing its resistance to low temperature cracking based on road location. The implementation of this procedure will restrict low temperature cracking in asphalt pavements and will result in significant lower maintenance costs.

• Record URL:
  http://master.grad.hr/cetra/ocs/index.php/cetra4/cetra2016/paper/view/467
• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://master.grad.hr/cetra/ocs/index.php/cetra4/cetra2016/schedConf/presentations
• Supplemental Notes:
  • Abstract reprinted with permission of University of Zagreb Faculty of Civil Engineering, Department of Transportation.
• Corporate Authors:

  University of Zagreb

  Faculty of Civil Engineering, Department of Transportation
  Kačićeva 26
  Zagreb,   Croatia  1000
• Authors:
  • Gražulytė, Judita
  • Vaitkus, A.
  • Kravcovas, Igoris
• Conference:
  • 4th International Conference on Road and Rail Infrastructure – CETRA 2016
  • Location: Šibenik , Croatia
  • Date: 2016-5-23 to 2016-5-25
• Publication Date: 2016-5

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Digital/other
• Features: Figures; References; Tables;
• Pagination: pp 643-649
• Monograph Title: Proceedings of the 4th International Conference on Road and Rail Infrastructure – CETRA 2016: Road and Rail Infrastructure IV
• Serial:
  • Proceedings of the International Conference on Road and Rail Infrastructure CETRA
  • Publisher: University of Zagreb
  • ISSN: 1848-9850

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Bitumen; Low temperature; Rheometers; Thermal degradation
• Uncontrolled Terms: Cracking resistance; Performance grade
• Geographic Terms: Lithuania
• Subject Areas: Highways; Maintenance and Preservation; Materials; Pavements;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01633617
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Apr 28 2017 4:50PM