In cold regions and areas where there is a huge difference between high and low temperatures asphalt pavements are subject to low temperature cracking. The appeared cracks form pavement discontinuities, through which water penetrates into pavement structure. It reduces the bearing capacity of the whole pavement structure, weakens adhesion between bitumen and aggregate, affects bonding between layers and increases the development of frost heaves. A sealing of cracks deals with these issues. However, additional inspections after each winter have to be carried out to identify both cracks that have newly appeared and cracks that need to be resealed. These activities significantly increase road maintenance cost. Selection of the appropriate asphalt mixture by its performance at low temperatures reduces or even prevents low temperature cracking of asphalt pavements. A number of methods such as the Indirect Tensile Test, the Bending Beam Rheometer Test, the Thermal Stress Restrained Specimen Test, Asphalt Thermal Cracking Analyser, the Single-Edge-Notched Beam Test, the Disc-Shaped Compact Tension Test, the Semi-Circular Bend Test, the Fenix Test, Asphalt Concrete Cracking Device and Spectral Analysis of Acoustic Emission are developed to evaluate asphalt mixture resistance to low temperature cracking. This paper presents an analysis of these tests, emphasizes their advantages and disadvantages and gives limiting criteria to evaluate asphalt mixture resistance to low temperature cracking. The test advantages and disadvantages are deciding factors in a test selection. Some tests such as the Thermal Stress Restrained Specimen Test and Spectral Analysis of acoustic emission can directly reveal the lowest temperature at which asphalt mixture can withstand induced thermal stresses.
One of the key goals in the EU White Paper is to reduce carbon emissions in transport by 60% by 2050.
Consequently, during the past years an effect on the environment became a decisive factor in selecting materials and
technologies for road construction and rehabilitation. Cold recycling is a reasonable solution in asphalt pavement rehabilitation
because it is economical and old asphalt pavements can be reused. This technology differs from others by
mixing temperature. Besides, cold recycling does not require additional heating. These benefits result in wide application
of cold recycling around the world. In Lithuania, cold recycling has been used for more than 15 years. Both technologies,
i.e. cold in-plant recycling and cold in-place recycling, were used. In both technologies reclaimed asphalt
pavement (RAP) is bound with bituminous binders (foamed bitumen or bitumen emulsion), hydraulic binders (cement)
or a combination of bituminous and hydraulic binders depending on the base course specifications. This paper focuses
on the Lithuanian experience in cold recycling of asphalt pavements using different types of cold recycling and binders.
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