Influence of Air Void Distribution on the Moisture Susceptibility of Asphalt Mixes
Publication: Journal of Materials in Civil Engineering
Volume 19, Issue 8
Abstract
This paper evaluates the relationship between the air void distribution in asphalt mixes and their moisture susceptibility. Asphalt mix specimens were prepared to have different air void distributions through using two different gradations, using two different compaction angles in the Superpave gyratory compactor, and trimming the specimens at different locations. An x-ray computed tomography system was used to capture the internal structure of the specimens, and image analysis techniques were used to quantify the air void distribution and connectivity. Specimens in unconditioned (dry) and moisture-conditioned (wet) states were subjected to dynamic loading, and damage was evaluated using a crack growth index based on fracture theory. The parameters required for the crack growth index were obtained from mechanical and surface energy tests. The analysis results clearly demonstrate the influence of air void distribution on moisture susceptibility. Consequently, the analysis method presented in this paper can be used to evaluate alternative mix designs and internal structures, even when the same materials are used, in order to optimize the resistance to moisture damage.
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Acknowledgments
The writers would like to acknowledge the funding of the Federal Highway Administration for this work.
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Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Journal of Materials in Civil Engineering
Volume 19 • Issue 8 • August 2007
Pages: 655 - 664
Copyright
© 2007 ASCE.
History
Received: Oct 12, 2005
Accepted: Dec 19, 2006
Published online: Aug 1, 2007
Published in print: Aug 2007
Notes
Note. Associate Editor: Louay N. Mohammad
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