Impact of Temperature Changes and Freeze—Thaw Cycles on the Behaviour of Asphalt Concrete Submerged in Water with Sodium Chloride

Abstract

One of the main applications of salt in civil engineering is its use as a de-icing agent on roads in cold areas. The purpose of this research is to find out the mechanical behaviour of an asphalt concrete when it is subjected to temperature changes and freeze–thaw cycles. These temperature interactions have been carried out for dry specimens, specimens submerged in distilled water and specimens submerged in salt water (5% of sodium chloride, NaCl). An AC16 Surf D bituminous mixture was evaluated under three types of temperature interaction: three reference series remained at a controlled temperature of 20 °C, another three series were subjected to five freeze–thaw cycles and the last three series have been subjected to one year outside in Santander (Spain). The mechanical behaviour of the mixture was determined by Indirect Tensile Strength Test (ITS), Water Sensitivity Test (ITSR) and Wheel Tracking Test, Dynamic Modulus Test and Fatigue Tests. The results of the tests show that, although the temperature changes have a negative effect on the mechanical properties, salt water protects the aggregate-binder adhesive, maintains the mechanical strength, increases the number of load cycles for any strain range and reduces the time that the mixture is in contact with frozen water.

The Impact of Water and Road Salt with Anti-Caking Agent on the Stiffness of Select Mixes Used for the Road Surface

“…A similar topic was analyzed by Zamanillo et al [ 21 ]. The effect of brine with a percentage concentration of 5% at a temperature of 20 °C was investigated during the 2-day test on the bitumen AC 16 subjected to soaking and freeze–thaw cycles.…”

Polymer modified asphalt binder – an approach for enhancing temperature sensitivity for emergency pavement repair

“…23. This is due to the viscosity of asphalt binder deteriorating when the number of freeze-thaw cycles increased (Mohi et al 2020), thus, stiffness of asphalt mixtures reduced (Mohi et al 2020, Vega-zamanillo et al 2020. However, the RuW mixture has recorded a higher SMR ratio in comparison with the HMA mixture during all freeze and thaw cycles.…”

Research on Capillary Water Absorption Characteristics of Modified Recycled Concrete under Different Freeze–Thaw Environments

“…Sáez Del Bosque et al [22] found that there was a decrease in the freeze-thaw durability of demolition construction concrete in de-icing salts. Ángel Vega-Zamanillo et al [23] performed freeze-thaw cycle tests after immersing the specimens in salt water and found that the specimens survived for a shorter period of time. FanXu et al [24] performed freeze-thaw experiments by placing three different types of concrete in water and 5% Na 2 SO 4 and found that sulfate accelerated the freezethaw damage of concrete.…”