Development and Implementation of the Asphalt Embrittlement Analyzer. Final Report for Highway Innovations Deserving Exploratory Analysis (IDEA) Project 170.

摘要

Asphalt concrete is a widely used pavement material, covering the surface of approximately 95% of all highway pavements in the U.S. The popularity of asphalt as a pavement surface material derives from the fact that it delivers a smooth, quiet surface, and can be rapidly constructed, particularly in the case of rehabilitation (resurfacing) operations. Immediately after construction, asphalt is a remarkably tough and resilient material. This stems from the fact that asphalt concrete is comprised of a highly ductile and healable binding matrix (asphalt binder), combined with hard aggregate particles, which provide stiffness and strength to the system. When compared with Portland Cement Concrete, asphalt concrete can possess 5, 10, or even 20 times more fracture energy due to its ductile binder matrix and toughness-adding aggregate structure. Although traffic loads and thermal cycles tend to cause micro-damage in the asphalt binder system under certain conditions, this damage can be healed if the binder has retained sufficient fluidity. Even as the pavement develops minor rutting and distributed micro-damage, pavement serviceability and smoothness can remain at a very high level for many years of service.