Effect of cyclic low temperature conditioning on stiffness modulus of asphalt concrete based on non-contact resonance testing method

The stiffness modulus behaviors of three different asphalt concrete specimens that are subjected to cyclic cooling and heating are monitored. In an attempt to identify the sole effect of temperature cycles and to avoid any other biasing effects such as thermal contamination that can possibly corrupt measurements, resonance frequency measurements of the specimens are taken using an automated non-contact resonance method. The resonance frequency measurements are based on the fundamental axially symmetric mode of vibration. A hysteretic effect is observed on the measured resonance frequencies of the specimens with an application of cyclic cooling and heating. Lower stiffness moduli are obtained during the heating phase of a complete cooling and heating cycle. The stiffness moduli are calculated from measured resonance frequencies of the specimens in order to show their relative reductions due to the hysteretic effect. This finding is particularly important since it enables us to observe and understand the effect of the thermal history of asphalt concrete with regards to the reversibility behavior of its stiffness modulus. The damping of the specimens is also calculated from the measured resonance frequencies at the temperatures within the applied cyclic cooling and heating. Their observed behavior is also discussed with respect to a presence of potential micro damage. (C) 2019 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.