Characterization of Thermal Cracking Resistance of Bituminous Mixtures Using Monotonic and Cyclic Restrained Cooling Tests

Experimental determination of the thermal cracking resistance of bituminous mixtures described in the literature focuses mainly on the performance of the Thermal Stress Restrained Specimen Test (TSRST). A large laboratory investigation was designed at the EIFFAGE Travaux Publics central laboratory to evaluate the low-temperature cracking resistance of different bituminous mixtures by way of various stress and temperature paths. This was the motive to develop specific test procedures with one of our servo-hydraulic presses. This paper discusses in particular the results obtained on six different mixes with both monotonic and cyclic restrained cooling tests. An emphasis was especially placed on pointing out some drawbacks and necessary improvements of the current testing procedure of the Thermal Stress Restrained Specimen Test. Some practical solutions are proposed. Characteristics which appear as pertinent and discriminating enough with regard to the low-temperature failure properties of bituminous mixes are presented. A specific low-temperature failure criterion was exemplified: the mix tensile strength does not depend upon the previously followed stress and temperature paths. In particular, the brittle stress at failure can be modeled by a function of the temperature with only two constants according to a hyperbolic equation.

• Corporate Authors:

  International Society for Asphalt Pavements

  4711 Clark Avenue, Suite G
  White Bear Lake, MN  United States  55110
• Authors:
  • Olard, F
  • LOUP, F
• Conference:
  • 10TH INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON ASPHALT PAVEMENTS - AUGUST 12 TO 17, 2006, QUEBEC CITY, CANADA
• Publication Date: 2006

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Print
• Pagination: p. vol1,775-84
• Monograph Title: 10th International Conference on Asphalt Pavements - August 12 to 17, 2006, Quebec City, Canada

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Bituminous mixtures; Conferences; Cooling; Cracking; Fracture mechanics; Stresses; Tests
• Geographic Terms: Canada
• Subject Areas: Design; Materials; Pavements; I22: Design of Pavements, Railways and Guideways; I26: Water Run-off - Freeze-thaw; I31: Bituminous Binders and Materials;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01084396
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Transportation Association of Canada (TAC)
• Files: TAC
• Created Date: Jan 16 2008 7:53AM