Influence of Freeze–Thaw Cycles on Thermal Conductivity, Water Permeability and Mechanical Properties of Asphalt Mixtures

Abstract

This research studied the effect of freeze–thaw cycles on the thermal conductivity, water permeability and mechanical properties of asphalt mixtures in the cold region. Three types of asphalt mixtures, namely a stone mastic asphalt (SMA) mixture, dense graded asphalt concrete (AC), asphalt-treated base (ATB) mixture, were produced in the laboratory. The thermal conductivity test and water permeability test were used to study the thermal conductivity and water permeability of asphalt mixtures, respectively. Meanwhile, the uniaxial compression test and indirect tensile test were carried out to investigate the mechanical properties of asphalt mixtures. The results showed that with the increase in the number of freeze–thaw cycles, the thermal conductivity and mechanical properties of all asphalt mixtures were weakened, while the water permeability of them was improved. In addition, the effect of freeze–thaw cycles on the thermal conductivity and mechanical properties of ATB mixture was more significant than that of SMA mixture and AC.