Journal Published Online: 18 January 2016
Volume 44, Issue 2

Characterization of Low Temperature Crack Resistance of Crumb Rubber Modified Asphalt Mixtures Using Semi-Circular Bending Tests

CODEN: JTEVAB

Abstract

The objective of this study was to assess the low temperature anti-cracking performance of crumb rubber modified asphalt mixtures by performing the semi-circular bending tests. The flexural tensile strength, fracture energy density, and fracture resistance were used to evaluate the rubber modified asphalt mixture's performance based on fracture mechanics J-integral concept. The semi-circular bending (SCB) tests were conducted to study the effect of crumb rubber dosage, crumb rubber size, and testing temperature on the low temperature anti-cracking performance of rubber modified asphalt mixtures. Two gradations (a dense gradation mixture and a gap-gradation mixture) were selected, and five rubber application dosages (15, 18, 20, 22, and 25 %, all by the weight of base binder) were studied in the paper. The tests were performed at temperatures of 0, −10, and −20°C. The testing results indicated that the flexural tensile strength and fracture energy density increased initially, reached to a peak point and then decreased with the increase of rubber dosage. Flexural tensile strength and fracture energy density reached its maximum value at the 20 % rubber dosage among the five rubber application dosages. The flexural tensile strength, fracture energy density, and the J-integral fracture toughness of the gap-graded rubber asphalt mixture specimens were higher than those of the dense gradation. The smaller sized particle rubber modified mixture provided a better low temperature anti-cracking performance as compared to those with bigger particle sizes. Through the comprehensive consideration of laboratory test results and field results, it was recommended that the J-integral fracture toughness should be no less than 2.8 KJ/m2 for new asphalt rubber pavement in Shannxi province.

Author Information

Wang, Hainian
School of Highway, Chang'an Univ., South Erhuan Middle Section, Xia'n, Shaanxi, CN
Zhang, Chen
School of Highway, Chang'an Univ., South Erhuan Middle Section, Xia'n, Shaanxi, CN
Li, Lian
School of Civil Engineering, Lanzhou Univ. of Technology, Lanzhou, Gansu, CN
You, Zhanping
Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Michigan Technological Univ., Houghton, Michigan, US
Diab, Aboelkasim
Department of Civil Engineering, Aswan Faculty of Engineering, Aswan Univ., EG
Pages: 9
Price: $25.00
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Stock #: JTE20150145
ISSN: 0090-3973
DOI: 10.1520/JTE20150145