Characterization of Low Temperature Crack Resistance of Crumb Rubber Modified Asphalt Mixtures Using Semi-Circular Bending Tests

• DOI: 10.1520/jte20150145
• Publication Date: 2016-02-03T03:23:52Z
• Authors: Hainian Wang; Chen Zhang; Lian Li; Zhanping You; Aboelkasim Diab
• Keywords: 0211 other engineering and technologies; 02 engineering and technology

AbstractThe objective of this study was to assess the low temperature anti-cracking performance of crumb rubber modified asphalt mixtures by performing the semi-circular bending tests. The flexural tensile strength, fracture energy density, and fracture resistance were used to evaluate the rubber modified asphalt mixture's performance based on fracture mechanics J-integral concept. The semi-circular bending (SCB) tests were conducted to study the effect of crumb rubber dosage, crumb rubber size, and testing temperature on the low temperature anti-cracking performance of rubber modified asphalt mixtures. Two gradations (a dense gradation mixture and a gap-gradation mixture) were selected, and five rubber application dosages (15, 18, 20, 22, and 25 %, all by the weight of base binder) were studied in the paper. The tests were performed at temperatures of 0, −10, and −20°C. The testing results indicated that the flexural tensile strength and fracture energy density increased initially, reached to a peak point and then decreased with the increase of rubber dosage. Flexural tensile strength and fracture energy density reached its maximum value at the 20 % rubber dosage among the five rubber application dosages. The flexural tensile strength, fracture energy density, and the J-integral fracture toughness of the gap-graded rubber asphalt mixture specimens were higher than those of the dense gradation. The smaller sized particle rubber modified mixture provided a better low temperature anti-cracking performance as compared to those with bigger particle sizes. Through the comprehensive consideration of laboratory test results and field results, it was recommended that the J-integral fracture toughness should be no less than 2.8 KJ/m2 for new asphalt rubber pavement in Shannxi province.