A Micro-Scale Investigation on the Behaviors of Asphalt Mixtures under Freeze-Thaw Cycles Using Entropy Theory and a Computerized Tomography Scanning Technique

Abstract

Abstract:The thermodynamic behavior of asphalt mixtures is critical to the engineers since it directly relates to the damage in asphalt mixtures. However, most of the current research of the freeze-thaw damage of asphalt mixtures is focused on the bulk body from the macroscale and lacks a fundamental understanding of the thermodynamic behaviors of asphalt mixtures from the microscale perspective. In this paper, to identify the important thermodynamic behaviors of asphalt mixtures under freeze-thaw loading cycle, the information entropy theory, an X-ray computerized tomography (CT) scanner and digital image processing technology are employed. The voids, the average size of the voids, the connected porosity, and the void number are extracted according to the scanned images. Based on the experiments and the CT scanned images, the information entropy evolution of the asphalt mixtures under different freeze-thaw cycles is calculated and the relationship between the change of information entropy and the pore structure characteristics is established. Then, the influences of different freezing and thawing conditions on the thermodynamic behaviors of asphalt mixtures are compared. The combination of information entropy theory and CT scanning technique proposed in this paper provides an innovative approach to investigate the thermodynamics behaviors of asphalt mixtures and a new way to analyze the freeze-thaw damage in asphalt mixtures.

Establishment of Complex Modulus Master Curves Based on Generalized Sigmoidal Model for Freeze–Thaw Resistance Evaluation of Basalt Fiber-Modified Asphalt Mixtures

“…In order to better apply asphalt mixture to the northeast seasonal frozen regions, a series of studies have been carried out toward exploring the F–T destruction characteristics of bituminous materials [ 29 , 30 , 31 , 32 ]. In addition, many scholars conducted various experiments of bituminous mixes under varying F–T actions to explore the damage evolution of bituminous materials [ 33 , 34 , 35 ]. Tarefder et al [ 36 ] analyzed the influences of F–T action on bituminous materials using several experimental methods on fatigue and rheometer.…”

An Indoor Laboratory Simulation and Evaluation on the Aging Resistance of Polyether Polyurethane Concrete for Bridge Deck Pavement

“…If water continues to invade, it may further result in the loose failure of the structure (Guan et al, 2005;Yang, 2013). For these reasons, considering the remarkable progress in the traditional asphalt-based materials (Hou et al, 2017;Xu et al, 2018;Yang et al, 2020a,b), they still cannot achieve the long life of bridge deck pavement requirements.…”

Further Investigation on Damage Model of Eco-Friendly Basalt Fiber Modified Asphalt Mixture under Freeze-Thaw Cycles

“…Xu et al [14] employed X-ray computed tomography technology (CT technology) to obtain and analyze internal images of asphalt mixture under different freeze-thaw cycles and investigated the influences of freeze-thaw cycles on the evolution of internal air voids. Moreover, Xu et al [15] investigated the effects of freeze-thaw cycles on the thermodynamic characteristics of asphalt mixtures, based on the information entropy theory, CT, and digital image processing (DIP) technologies. Moreover, the influence of freeze-thaw cycles on permeability of asphalt mixtures were also evaluated by the means of flow state, as well as water conductivity, of asphalt mixtures [16].…”