Evaluating the Cracking Resistance of the Semiflexible Pavement Mixture Using the Semicircular Bending Test
Publication: Journal of Materials in Civil Engineering
Volume 35, Issue 12
Abstract
Semiflexible pavement (SFP) is attracting increasing interest due to its exceptional load-carrying capacity. However, there is limited understanding of its cracking performance and mechanisms. This study investigated the suitability of the emerging cracking resistance parameters, the flexible index (FI) and cracking resistance index (CRI), derived from the semicircular bending (SCB) test, in elucidating the mid-temperature resistance of SFP mixtures against cracking. The influence of styrene-butadiene-styrene-modified asphalts and styrene-acrylic emulsion/styrene-butadiene rubber-modified cement mortars on the anticrack property of SFP mixtures was also determined. Results indicated a high correlation () between the FI and CRI of various SFP mixtures, with CRI exhibiting more promise than FI in assessing the fracture resistance of SFP mixtures due to its higher discrimination potential and lower variability. Enhancing the bending strength of cement mortar or increasing the value of asphalt binder were identified as effective means to improve the anticracking ability of SFP. Therefore, improving the binder toughness of both cement mortar and asphalt is essential for enhancing the performance of SFP against cracking.
Get full access to this article
View all available purchase options and get full access to this article.
Data Availability Statement
Some or all data, models, or code that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.
Acknowledgments
The authors gratefully acknowledge the financial supports from the National Key R&D Program of China (2022YFB2602603), Hong Kong Scholars Program (XJ2022040), National Natural Science Foundation of China (52008353), and Sichuan Youth Science and Technology Innovation Research Team (2021JDTD0023 and 2022JDTD0015).
References
Al-Qadi, I. L., H. Ozer, Z. Zhu, P. Singhvi, U. M. Ali, M. Sawalha, A. F. E. Luque, J. J. G. Mainieri, and T. G. Zehr. 2019. Development of long-term aging protocol for implementation of the Illinois flexibility index test (I-FIT). Rantoul, IL: Illinois Center for Transportation.
ASTM. 2013. Standard test method for penetration of bituminous materials. ASTM D5. West Conshohocken, PA: ASTM.
ASTM. 2016. Standard practice for determining the continuous grading temperatures and continuous grades for PG graded asphalt binders. ASTM D7643. West Conshohocken, PA: ASTM.
ASTM. 2017a. Standard test method for ductility of asphalt materials. ASTM D113. West Conshohocken, PA: ASTM.
ASTM. 2017b. Standard test method for softening point of bitumen (Ring-and-Ball apparatus). ASTM D36. West Conshohocken, PA: ASTM.
Bang, J. W., B. J. Lee, Y. Y. Kim, and X. Wang. 2017. “Development of a semirigid pavement incorporating ultrarapid hardening cement and chemical admixtures for cement grouts.” Adv. Mater. Sci. Eng. 2017 (Jan): 4628690. https://doi.org/10.1155/2017/4628690.
Chen, H., Y. Zhang, and H. U. Bahia. 2019. “The role of binders in cracking resistance of mixtures measured with the IFIT procedure.” Int. J. Fatigue 142: 105847.
Davoodi, A., M. A. Esfahani, M. Bayat, and S. E. Mohammadyan-Yasouj. 2021. “Evaluation of performance parameters of cement mortar in semi-flexible pavement using rubber powder and nano silica additives.” Constr. Build. Mater. 302 (Oct): 124166. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2021.124166.
Fang, B., T. Xu, and S. Shi. 2015. “Laboratory study on cement slurry formulation and its strength mechanism for semi-flexible pavement.” J. Test. Eval. 44 (2): 20150230https://doi.org/10.1520/jte20150230.
Gong, M., Z. Xiong, H. Chen, C. Deng, X. Chen, J. Yang, H. Zhu, and J. Hong. 2019. “Evaluation on the cracking resistance of semi-flexible pavement mixture by laboratory research and field validation.” Constr. Build. Mater. 207 (May): 387–395. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2019.02.064.
Hintz, C., and H. Bahia. 2013. “Simplification of linear amplitude sweep test and specification parameter.” Transp. Res. Rec. 2370 (1): 10–16. https://doi.org/10.3141/2370-02.
Hou, S., T. Xu, and K. Huang. 2016. “Investigation into engineering properties and strength mechanism of grouted macadam composite materials.” Int. J. Pavement Eng. 17 (10): 878–886. https://doi.org/10.1080/10298436.2015.1024467.
Hou, S., T. Xu, and K. Huang. 2017. “Aggregate gradation influence on grouting results and mix design of asphalt mixture skeleton for semi-flexible pavement.” J. Test. Eval. 45 (2): 591–600https://doi.org/10.1520/JTE20150190.
Husain, N. M., M. R. Karim, H. B. Mahmud, S. Koting, and A. Xu. 2014. “Effects of aggregate gradation on the physical properties of semiflexible pavement.” Adv. Mater. Sci. Eng. 2014 (Jan): 529305. https://doi.org/10.1155/2014/529305.
Kaseer, F., F. Yin, E. Arámbula-Mercado, A. E. Martin, J. S. Daniel, and S. Salari. 2018. “Development of an index to evaluate the cracking potential of asphalt mixtures using the semi-circular bending test.” Constr. Build. Mater. 167 (Apr): 286–298. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2018.02.014.
Knapen, E., and D. V. Gemert. 2015. “Polymer film formation in cement mortars modified with water-soluble polymers.” Cem. Concr. Compos. 58 (Apr): 23–28. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cemconcomp.2014.11.015.
Lin, P., C. Yan, W. Huang, Y. Li, L. Zhou, N. Tang, F. Xiao, Y. Zhang, and Q. Lv. 2019. “Rheological, chemical and aging characteristics of high content polymer modified asphalt.” Constr. Build. Mater. 207 (May): 616–629. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2019.02.086.
Ling, S., M. Hu, D. Sun, H. Ni, and L. Xu. 2022. “Mechanical properties of pouring semi-flexible pavement material and engineering estimation on contribution of each phase.” Constr. Build. Mater. 315 (Jan): 125782. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2021.125782.
Luo, S., X. Yang, K. Zhong, and J. Yin. 2020. “Open-graded asphalt concrete grouted by latex modified cement mortar.” Road Mater. Pavement Des. 21 (1): 61–77. https://doi.org/10.1080/14680629.2018.1479290.
Ma, A., B. Pt, C. Me, and D. Hb. 2021. “Impact of Styrene-Butadiene-Styrene (SBS) content on asphalt Binder’s fatigue resistance at various aging levels using Viscoelastic Continuum Damage and fracture mechanics.” Constr. Build. Mater. 305 (Oct): 124627. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2021.124627.
Ozer, H., I. L. Al-Qadi, P. Singhvi, T. Khan, J. Rivera-Perez, and A. El-Khatib. 2016. “Fracture characterization of asphalt mixtures with high recycled content using Illinois semicircular bending test method and flexibility index.” Transp. Res. Rec. 2575 (1): 130–137. https://doi.org/10.3141/2575-14.
Pelland, R. J., J. S. Gould, and R. B. Mallick. 2004. “Selecting a rut resistant hot mix asphalt for Boston-Logan International Airport.” In Airfield pavements: Challenges and new technologies, 390–408. Reston, VA: ASCE.
Saboo, N., R. Ranjeesh, A. Gupta, and M. Suresh. 2019. “Development of hierarchical ranking strategy for the asphalt skeleton in semi-flexible pavements.” Constr. Build. Mater. 201 (Mar): 149–158. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2018.12.131.
Sakai, E., and J. Sugita. 1995. “Composite mechanism of polymer modified cement.” Cem. Concr. Res. 25 (1): 127–135. https://doi.org/10.1016/0008-8846(94)00120-N.
Seitllari, A., I. Boz, J. Habbouche, and S. D. Diefenderfer. 2022. “Assessment of cracking performance indices of asphalt mixtures at intermediate temperatures.” Int. J. Pavement Eng. 23 (1): 70–79. https://doi.org/10.1080/10298436.2020.1730838.
Setyawan, A. 2005. “Design and properties of hot mixture porous asphalt for semi-flexible pavement applications.” Media Teknik Sipil 5 (2): 41–46.
Sheng, H., T. Scullion, F. Zhou, S. Im, and D. Newcomb. 2016. “Selection and preliminary evaluation of laboratory cracking tests for routine asphalt mix designs.” Road Mater. Pavement Des. 85 (Mar): 77–108. https://doi.org/10.1080/14680629.2016.1266741.
Yan, C., W. Huang, J. Ma, J. Xu, Q. Lv, and P. Lin. 2020a. “Characterizing the SBS polymer degradation within high content polymer modified asphalt using ATR-FTIR.” Constr. Build. Mater. 233 (Feb): 117708. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2019.117708.
Yan, C., Y. Zhang, and H. U. Bahia. 2020b. “Comparison between SCB-IFIT, un-notched SCB-IFIT and IDEAL-CT for measuring cracking resistance of asphalt mixtures.” Constr. Build. Mater. 252 (Aug): 119060. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2020.119060.
Yaphary, Y. L., M. He, G. Lu, F. Zou, P. Liu, D. C. W. Tsang, and Z. Leng. 2023. “Experiment and multiscale molecular simulations on the Cu absorption by biochar-modified asphalt: An insight into removal capability and mechanism of heavy metals from stormwater runoff.” Chem. Eng. J. 462 (Apr): 142205. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cej.2023.142205.
Zarei, S., S. Ouyang, W. Yang, and Y. Zhao. 2020. “Experimental analysis of semi-flexible pavement by using an appropriate cement asphalt emulsion paste.” Constr. Build. Mater. 230 (Jan): 116994. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2019.116994.
Zhang, D., H. Zhang, C. Zhu, and C. Shi. 2017. “Synergetic effect of multi-dimensional nanomaterials for anti-aging properties of SBS modified bitumen.” Constr. Build. Mater. 144 (Jul): 423–431. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2017.03.205.
Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Copyright
© 2023 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Jan 5, 2023
Accepted: Apr 18, 2023
Published online: Sep 22, 2023
Published in print: Dec 1, 2023
Discussion open until: Feb 22, 2024
Authors
Metrics & Citations
Metrics
Citations
Download citation
If you have the appropriate software installed, you can download article citation data to the citation manager of your choice. Simply select your manager software from the list below and click Download.