Correlating the Asphalt-Binder BBR Test Data to the HMA (ML-OT) Fracture Properties
Publication: Journal of Materials in Civil Engineering
Volume 33, Issue 9
Abstract
An asphalt-binder is one of the key constituent elements that significantly influences and controls the fracture behavior and cracking performance of hot-mix asphalt (HMA). In particular, the low-temperature rheological properties of asphalt-binders are critical in terms of improving the HMA fracture properties in the laboratory and ultimately mitigating cracking in the field. The bending beam rheometer (BBR) is one of the most widely used laboratory test methods for evaluating and quantifying the asphalt-binder behavior at low temperatures, mostly using the stiffness (S) and m-value parameters. Using the Texas flexible pavements and overlays database, namely, the Texas data storage system (DSS), as the primary data source, this study was conducted to correlate the asphalt-binder low-temperature rheological properties (measured using the BBR) to the HMA fracture properties. The HMA fracture properties were measured in the laboratory using the monotonic-loading overlay tester (ML-OT). In general, the asphalt-binder low-temperature rheological properties [particularly the stiffness (S)] exhibited promising potential to predict the HMA fracture properties, namely, the tensile strain () and fracture energy index ( Index), with a coefficient of determination () greater than 60%.
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Data Availability Statement
All data, models, and code generated or used during the study appear in the published article.
Acknowledgments
The authors thank the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) and the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) for their support, in particular to the Texas flexible pavements and overlays database (the Texas DSS) project that valuably served as the data source for the work presented in this paper. Special thanks and due gratitude also go to Brett Haggerty (PE) for pioneering the DSS work (Project No. 0-6658) and for his technical guidance during the course of the project.
Disclaimer
The contents of this paper reflect the views of the authors who are solely responsible for the facts and accuracy of the data presented herein and do not necessarily reflect the official views or policies of any agency or institute. This paper does not constitute a standard and/or specification, nor is it intended for design, construction, bidding, contracting, tendering, certification, or permit purposes. Trade names were used solely for information purposes and not for product endorsement, advertisement, promotions, or certification.
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Published In
Journal of Materials in Civil Engineering
Volume 33 • Issue 9 • September 2021
Copyright
© 2021 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: May 21, 2020
Accepted: Jan 29, 2021
Published online: Jul 2, 2021
Published in print: Sep 1, 2021
Discussion open until: Dec 2, 2021
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