A Dynamic Semi-Circular Bending Configuration for the Rheological Characterization of Asphalt Mixtures

Abstract

Many experimental procedures have been proposed for the determination of the rheological properties of asphalt mixtures. Among them, the indirect tensile test (ITT) has gained a lot of attention because of its relative simplicity and advantages. However, a biaxial state of stress is developed into the sample and then, the Poisson ratio must be estimated or measured for the calculations of the dynamic modulus. Looking for a testing configuration with the same simplicity and advantages, this paper proposes the Semi-Circular Bending (SCB) geometry with dynamic loading conditions in order to characterize the rheological properties (dynamic modulus and phase angle) of asphalt mixtures. Samples compacted in the laboratory or cored from in-service pavements can be used. A uniaxial state of stress is developed in the lower plane surface of the sample doing negligible the influence of the Poisson ratio on the dynamic modulus calculations. A specific experimental configuration was adopted and a 2D-FEM model has been used for the development of an equation for the calculation of the dynamic modulus. Two different asphalt mixtures were tested at diverse testing temperatures and loading frequencies. The obtained results have been analyzed and compared with those acquired with the more conventional testing configuration in uniaxial compression. An excellent agreement has been found for either the dynamic modulus or the phase angle with both sets of results. It could be concluded that the SCB configuration has been validated as a simple and promising methodology for the characterization of the viscoelastic response of asphalt mixtures.