Laboratory Investigation of a Novel Method to Accelerate Healing in Asphalt Mixtures Using Thermal Treatment
Amit Bhasin, Atul Narayan, and Dallas N. Little, Texas A&M University, August 2009, 35 pp. (476660-00005-1)
Asphalt binders have an inherent ability to reverse damage in the form of micro-cracks that is caused due to the repeated action of external loads. This reversal occurs during rest periods between load cycles. The phenomenon of crack reversal is referred to as autogenous or self-healing. The main objective of this project was to apply established principles of healing to investigate a novel technique to accelerate reversal of accumulated micro-crack in asphalt mixtures. This technique was developed and evaluated using a laboratory scale set up. Laboratory tests were used to evaluate the impact of thermal treatment on the fatigue cracking life of asphalt mixtures. Results from this study indicate that for two out of the three different types of asphalt mixtures, intermittent application of the thermal treatment resulted in approximately 50% increase in the fatigue cracking life of the mixture.
Keywords: Asphalt Mixture, Fatigue Cracking, Self-Healing
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