Analysis of methods and criteria for evaluation of bitumen performance at low temperatures

Abstract

Thermal cracking is the dominant pavement failure in the cold regions. After each winter, the newly appeared cracks have to be sealed. However, after a few years depending on the sealing method the previously sealed cracks have to be resealed. It results in high maintenance budget and human resources. The appropriate bitumen selection on the basis of bitumen performance at low temperatures can reduce the effect of thermal cracking. For this purpose, number of methods are developed such as Fraass test, bending beam rheometer (BBR) test, direct tension (DT) test, asphalt binder cracking device (ABCD), dynamic shear rheometer using 4 mm diameter parallel plates (4 m DSR) test, single-edge-notched bending (SENB) test, double-edge-notched tension (DENT) test and spectral analysis of acoustic emission (AE). This paper presents the analysis of different tests for the evaluation of the bitumen performance at low temperatures, highlights their advantages and disadvantages and gives their limiting criteria. These limiting criteria are usually used to determine the critical cracking temperature, which is defined as the lowest temperature at which bitumen can withstand induced thermal stresses.