A long-term field study of the ability to predict thermal cracking of asphalt mixtures tested by the Bending Beam Rheometer

Abstract

If an asphalt mixture's low-temperature performance is evaluated before its application on a pavement, the costs and carbon footprint of materials in pavement maintenance and rehabilitation during cold seasons can be reduced significantly. This goal is met in this long-term study by conducting two experiments that spanned eight years. The Bending Beam Rheometer (BBR) was used in this study by following the AASHTO TP125–16 procedure. The first stage consists of documentation of in-field pavement performance and development of a ‘limit criterion’ of the low-temperature performance of asphalt mixtures on a modified Black Space diagram. The second stage shows the application of this criterion on different asphalt mixtures obtained from seven construction projects in Utah, United States, during the 2018–19 construction season. This evaluation technique helps select proper materials during the decision-making process and serves as a quality acceptance tool during construction.