The advantages of using impact resonance test in dynamic modulus master curve construction through the abbreviated test protocol

Abstract

Asphalt concrete behavior is heavily dependent on temperature and loading rate. Hence, the material is typically tested at a range of temperatures and loading frequencies to capture its properties. Results are then used to develop a master curve exhibiting material behavior at the full spectrum of loading frequencies. An abbreviated testing protocol, under AASHTO PP 61-13, proposes a practical approach for development of this master curve. In this practice, the low temperature asymptote of the master curve is dominated by the limiting maximum modulus estimated through the Hirsch model. In this study, the dynamic modulus (DM) testing coupled with impact resonance (IR) test was used to evaluate the effect of this limiting maximum modulus on construction of the asphalt concrete master curve. Three different asphalt mixtures prepared with the same gradation and binder content, but different grades of stiffness were tested. The DM testing was performed at multiple temperatures and loading frequencies. The IR tests were conducted on the same specimens at the same temperatures. Two sigmoid functions (MEPDG and Richards models), and three shift factors (Arrhenius, Williams–Landel–Ferry, and polynomial) were utilized in the analysis. Richards sigmoid function coupled with polynomial shift factor provided the best fitting accuracy to the measured data. It was observed that the limiting maximum modulus obtained from experimental data was underpredicted by that obtained from the Hirsch model. The results indicated potential benefits of the IR test as a complementary testing tool to the abbreviated DM testing protocol to reliably characterize asphalt concrete.