Research on mechanical characteristics of conductive asphalt concrete by indirect tensile test

Abstract

Conductive asphalt concrete is a functional composite that is composed of regular asphalt concrete and a certain amount of conductive components. In this paper, conductive asphalt concrete has been prepared by adding graphite and carbon fiber to regular asphalt concrete. The combination function of graphite and carbon fiber has obvious advantages in the conductivity improvement. Mechanical characteristics of conductive asphalt concrete have been specially studied by indirect tensile test, which includes indirect tensile strength (ITS), indirect tensile resilient modulus (ITRM) and indirect tensile fatigue (ITF) tests. The ITS test results indicate that conductive asphalt concrete shows higher values of indirect tensile strength than regular asphalt concrete, but lower values of indirect tensile strength ratio. Then, we conclude from ITRM test that the addition of conductive components increases indirect tensile resilient modulus of asphalt concrete. Furthermore, the results of ITF test show that fatigue life (load cycle times) of conductive asphalt concrete have been enhanced compared to regular asphalt concrete at higher stress levels.