AN EXPERIMENTAL STUDY ON THE EFFECTS OF WATER IMMERSION AND FREEZE-THAW ACTION ON ASPHALT MIXTURES

Abstract

 This study aims to evaluate the effects of water immersion and freezing and thawing on asphalt mixtures. Laboratory tests were conducted and it was found that water immersion and freezing and thawing can cause performance deterioration to asphalt mixtures such as stripping and cracking. Furthermore, as a result of quantitatively evaluation, it was evaluated that the effect of freezing and thawing was greater than that of water immersion alone. In addition, new findings were also obtained that, the freeze-thaw action increases the voids in the asphalt mixture, but it not only increases the voids inside the asphalt mortar, but also progresses the voids along with the interface between the aggregate and the asphalt. The aggregate gradation and asphalt binder type of asphalt mixture affects freeze-thaw resistance, the effect of polymer additive was recognized as positive to freeze-thaw resistance.