Thermal performance of Asphalt Concrete Mixtures

Asphalt concrete pavement practices environmental impact throughout its service life. Such variation in the environmental conditions can influence the performance of the pavement. In the present investigation, asphalt concrete wearing course mixture was assessed through this investigation. Samples of asphalt concrete slabs were compacted using the laboratory roller compaction and prepared with the highest possible binder content. Pillar examples were removed from the chunk tests and exposed to dynamic flexural stresses under three consistent miniature strain levels of (750, 400, and 250). The testing of the asphalt concrete beam specimens was performed at low, moderate, and high testing environment, (5, 20, and 30) ℃. The thermal performance of the mixtures was monitored through the elapsed time required for initiation of micro cracks under various constant strain levels. It was observed that a dramatic decline in the flexural strength could be detected when testing at high testing temperature when it is compared with the control mixture. The flexural strength of asphalt concrete specimens declines by (75, and 93.3) % when tested at (20 and 30)℃ respectively when it is compared with the specimens tested at 5℃.