Intermediate temperature fracture resistance evaluation of cement emulsified asphalt mortar

Cement emulsified asphalt mortar (CEAM) as part of the slab track system is subjected to various combinations of repeated train loading and varying environmental conditions leading to fatigue cracking. In this respect, this research examined the fatigue cracking resistance behavior of CEAM through various testing methods applying fracture mechanics. Experimental tests conducted (i.e. indirect tensile (IDT) strength and semicircular bending (SCB)) showed that the fracture parameters (i.e. displacement at fracture, fracture energy, and critical strain energy release rate) could properly evaluate the fatigue performance of CEAM and distinguish additives' impact at intermediate temperature. Furthermore, correlation analysis was employed to investigate the effect of test-related factors (e.g. specimen size, specimen thickness, notch length, and loading rate) on the assessed fracture parameters and specifying the most suitable parameter for fatigue cracking resistance evaluation of CEAM. According to the results, although the displacement at fracture and fracture energy were capable to assess the fatigue cracking behavior of CEAM, they exhibited to be specimen size dependent. Additionally, results of experiments conducted on CEAM specimens possessing various sizes and geometries along with the correlation analysis indicated that the critical strain energy release rate (J(c)) is a potentially feasible parameter to recognize the fatigue cracking resistance of CEAM as a material parameter as it is independent of specimen size and geometry. (C) 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.