Relationships between Physical, Mechanical and Acoustic Properties of Asphalt Mixtures Using Ultrasonic Testing

Shuguang Hou,Yong Deng,Rui Jin,Xijun Shi,Xue Luo

doi:10.3390/buildings12030306

Shuguang Hou, Yong Deng + Show 3 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings12030306

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Abstract

Ultrasonic testing can be used for a nondestructive and rapid determination of material properties. In this study, twelve asphalt mixture samples of four different types were fabricated and used in conventional material property tests and two ultrasonic wave tests. Physical properties such as bulk specific gravity and air void content, mechanical properties such as dynamic modulus and phase angle, and acoustic properties such as wave velocity were measured. Relationships between these properties were established and analyzed as a tool for the future material property determination. In addition, the dynamic modulus and phase angle, measured in a standard laboratory test, were used to construct two master curve models to predict their values at arbitrary temperatures and frequencies. Furthermore, a theoretical model for wave velocity in a linear isotropic viscoelastic material was utilized with measured density, Poisson’s ratio, phase angle and ultrasonic wave velocity to predict the dynamic modulus. Good agreement has been achieved between laboratory measurements and model predictions. It indicates that ultrasonic testing can serve as a rapid method for material property determination.

Highlights

Asphalt pavement is widely used for its advantages such as comfortable driving, low noises, small vibrations and convenient maintenance [1]
This study aims to build relationships between acoustic, physical and mechanical properties of asphalt mixtures
Traditional material property tests and ultrasonic wave tests were conducted on 12 asphalt mixtures of four different types

Summary

Introduction

Asphalt pavement is widely used for its advantages such as comfortable driving, low noises, small vibrations and convenient maintenance [1]. The service life and maintenance cost of asphalt pavement are negatively affected and require timely prediction and management [4]. Traditional methods measuring the properties of asphalt layer materials and asphalt mixtures utilize large scale instruments in the laboratory. Their setup and loading are complicated and time-consuming, which cannot satisfy the demand for efficient damage detection and maintenance decision making. These methods have limitations including destruction in order to service asphalt pavements, wastage of manpower and materials, etc. These methods have limitations including destruction in order to service asphalt pavements, wastage of manpower and materials, etc. [5] it is necessary to develop and improve nondestructive testing (NDT)

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