Constitutive relations for bituminous concrete using double lap shear tests

Abstract

The scope of this progress report was to a. investigate a new method for obtaining shear properties of bituminous concrete, b. obtain constitutive relations for fundamental properties using this method, c. show the sensitivity of the procedures, d. detect property variations as functions of source of asphalt and a small amount of latex additive, and e. demonstrate possible design use of the properties obtained. The method used was the double lap shear test, which has been used extensively for viscoelastic characterization of solid propellant, but which has not been used previously to characterize bituminous concrete. The results showed that the procedures can be used to better quantify the fundamental mechanical properties of bituminous concrete in shear and that highway design procedures can be improved by the use of these properties.