Development of a binder fracture test to determine fracture energy properties
- 19 June 2014
- journal article
- research article
- Published by Taylor & Francis Ltd in Road Materials and Pavement Design
- Vol. 15 (sup1), 219-238
- https://doi.org/10.1080/14680629.2014.927412
Abstract
Based on knowledge and findings that existing binder tests may not accurately predict cracking performance at intermediate temperatures, this study embarked in the development a new binder fracture energy test to fill this void. Nonlinear 3-D finite element analysis (FEA) was used to identify and optimise an appropriate specimen geometry to allow for accurate determination of true stress and strain on the fracture plane, thereby ensuring accurate determination of fracture energy. Various binders were tested at multiple temperatures and loading rates using prototype specimens in order to evaluate the feasibility and validity of different specimen geometries. The researchers used nonlinear FEA results to establish a data interpretation system and develop a set of diagrams to simplify calculation procedures. After extensive observation of test results, the researchers concluded that the new fracture energy test and data interpretation system suitably measure unmodified and modified binder fracture energy density. The test results reveal that binder fracture energy is a fundamental property of binder and that characteristic of the true stress-true strain relationship is a good indicator of the presence and relative content of modifiers.Keywords
This publication has 3 references indexed in Scilit:
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- Low-Temperature Thermal Cracking of Asphalt Binders as Ranked by Strength and Fracture PropertiesTransportation Research Record: Journal of the Transportation Research Board, 2001
- Low-Temperature Fracture Testing of Asphalt Binders: Regular and Modified SystemsTransportation Research Record: Journal of the Transportation Research Board, 2000