Author(s):
S.C. Britton, D. Bynum, W.B. Ledbetter
Publication Date
May 1971
Abstract
A method of fundamental evaluation of asphalt cement structural performance was examined by measurement of the mechanical behavior (load response and failure) of candidate asphaltic concrete mixtures by application of direct uniaxial tension and compression, splitting tension, biaxial tension, and double lap shear test procedures. The mixtures were made by using two different representative asphalt cements (unmodified and modified by the addition of a synthetic elastomeric polymer). Test results were examined with respect to reliability of the test procedures and their capability of distinguishing among asphalt cements of significantly different composition and characteristics.|The results indicate that reliable test methods are available but require further development to make them suitable for practical application. The results also indicate that relative structural performance will vary with stress axiality and that adequate evaluation of asphalt cement structural performance requires more than uniaxial test methods. The viscoelastic (time dependent) nature of asphaltic concrete was confirmed and it was shown that addition of elastomeric polymers will significantly alter the structural performance of an asphalt cement.| *The term "Structural Performance" has been employed in this study to designate the behavioral characteristics of an asphalt cement which influence the ability of an asphaltic concrete to successfully withstand the repeated action of wheel loads or restrained volume changes brought about by changes in temperature.
Report Number:
127-4F
Link(s):
Document/Product
http://tti.tamu.edu/documents/127-4F.pdf
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