Fracture damage evaluation of asphalt mixtures using Semi-Circular Bending test based on fracture energy approach

This research investigated fracture damage of conventional dense and modified gap-and open-graded asphalt mixes using Semi-Circular Bending test. Fracture damage parameters were formulated and deduced from load-crack mouth opening displacement relationship and used to estimate fracture damage based on Elastic Plastic Fracture Mechanics. Dissipated energy for modified mixes were 1.5-2 times greater than conventional mixes. Damage parametric models were developed based on material properties' energy based behaviour. It was clearly found that Semi-Circular Bending test is a truly promising quality control tool, and the Elastic Plastic Fracture Mechanics concept is a potential numerical approach towards comprehensively understanding fracture mechanism. (C) 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.