Effects of Mix Design and Fracture Energy on Transverse Cracking Performance of Asphalt Pavements in Minnesota

Abstract

Asphalt pavements in colder climates encounter significantly shortened service lives because of excessive transverse cracking. This paper presents the results for 26 pavement sections in Minnesota that were studied to evaluate the effects of asphalt mix designs on pavement cracking performance. The field performance is presented with various cracking measures and compared with mix design aspects such as amount of asphalt binder, binder grade, and amount of recycling. The disk-shaped compact tension (DCT) fracture energies measured on the field cored samples are also compared with cracking performance. In this study, asphalt pavement sections from several locations were evaluated to encompass various types of asphalt mixtures and asphalt construction types that were commonly used in Minnesota. The amount of transverse cracking for each section was converted into a newly proposed cracking performance measure that accounted for the amount, rate, and timing of cracking. The comparisons between asphalt mixture attributes and cracking performance measures showed that the amounts of total asphalt binder and recycled asphalt binder may not be sufficient. Performance testing, in addition to currently used controls (mix volumetrics and constituent properties), is recommended to ensure good cracking performance. The DCT fracture energy results for companion sections show that mixtures with higher fracture energies exhibit lower amounts of transverse cracking.

Cracking performance sensitivity to material parameters of asphalt mixture in asphalt pavement with stabilized base with inorganic binders

“…Modarres and Shabani recognized asphalt elastic modulus as the most significant parameter in increasing the stress intensity factor and reducing fatigue life [18]. Dave, Hoplin, Helmer, Dailey, Van Deusen, Geib, Dai and Johanneck evaluated the influence of fracture energy on cracking propagation of asphalt pavement with transverse crack, indicating that higher fracture energy could effectively reduce the number of cracks [19]. Although the above studies had carried out to explore the fracture of asphalt pavement structure, free propagation of cracks sensitive to materials needed further research.…”

Evaluation of Laboratory Performance and Structural Contribution of Cold Recycled Versus Hot Mixed Intermediate and Base Course Asphalt Layers in New Hampshire

“…However, most of these procedures are based on Marshal stability, indirect tensile strength, or resilient modulus of the mixtures ( 7 ), which may not be considered as performance tests. Recent studies have shown an improved pavement life cycle when rehabilitation is conducted using CR and reclaiming as opposed to use of mill and overlay treatments ( 8 ). Some important issues are the selection of the appropriate emulsion type, the high variability in the RAP in relation to age and binder chemistry, and the selection of the proper laboratory curing method to simulate the field condition; these all make the mix design and laboratory performance testing a challenging task.…”

Implementation of soybean derived additives in asphalt applications for improved performance

“…The change in the brittleness/ductility of asphalt mixtures can be investigated using numerical methods based on the principles of fracture mechanics [65]. It is known that an asphalt mixture with lower fracture energy exhibits more transverse (low temperature) cracking [66]. Figure 3-6 illustrates the behavior of two specimen types evaluated for resistance against low temperature cracking using the DCT.…”