Graduate Thesis Or Dissertation
 

Development of a test procedure for water sensitivity of asphalt concrete mixtures

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https://ir.library.oregonstate.edu/concern/graduate_thesis_or_dissertations/qf85ng654

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  • Environmental factors such as temperature, air, and water can have a profound effect on the durability of asphalt concrete mixtures. In mild climates where good quality aggregates and asphalt cement are available, the major contribution to deterioration may be due to traffic loading and the resultant distress is manifested in the form of fatigue cracking, rutting, and raveling. But, when more severe climates are coupled with poor materials and traffic, premature failure may result. The objectives of this research are twofold and includes: (1) development of a test system to evaluate the most important factors influencing the water sensitivity of asphalt concrete mixtures; and (2) development of laboratory testing procedures that will predict field performance. This research also addresses the hypothesis that much of the water damage in pavements is due to water in the asphalt concrete void system. It is proposed that most of the water problems occur when voids are in the range of about 5% to 12%. Thus, the term "pessimum" voids is used to indicate that range (opposite of optimum). In order to evaluate the hypothesis and the numerous variables, the Environmental Conditioning System (ECS) was designed and fabricated. The ECS consists of three subsystems: (1) fluid conditioning, where the specimen is subjected to predetermined levels of water, air, or vapor and permeability is measured; (2) an environmental cabinet that controls the temperature and humidity and encloses the entire load frame; and (3) the loading system that determines resilient modulus (M[subscript n]) at various times during environmental cycling and also provides continuous repeated loading as needed. The ECS has been used to evaluate four core materials and also to investigate the relative importance of mixture variables thought to be significant. Many details regarding specimen preparation and testing procedures were evaluated during a "shakedown" of the ECS. As minor variables were resolved, a procedure emerged which appears to be reasonable and suitable. An experiment design for the four core mixtures was developed, and the overall experiment design included three ranges of void ( <5% low; 5-12%, pessimum; > 12% high). Six-hour cycles of wet-hot (60° C) and wet-freeze ( -18° C) are the principle conditioning variables, while monitoring MR at 25° C before and between cycling. A conventional testing procedure (AASHTO T-283) was also used on the core mixtures to provide a baseline for comparison. Results to date show that the ECS is capable of discerning the relative differences in "performance" such as MR. Three hot cycles and one freeze cycle appear to be sufficient to determine the projected relative performance when comparing different aggregates, asphalts, void levels, loading, etc. Based on these results, a water conditioning procedure has been recommended and also a procedure for water conditioning specimens prior to testing in fatigue, rutting, and thermal cracking.
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  • Figures in original document are black and white photocopies. Best scan available.

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