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Moisture damage evaluation of aggregate–bitumen bonds with the respect of moisture absorption, tensile strength and failure surface

Zhang, Jizhe; Airey, Gordon D.; Grenfell, James; Apeagyei, Alex K.

Authors

Jizhe Zhang

Gordon D. Airey

James Grenfell

Alex K. Apeagyei



Abstract

The moisture-induced deterioration of asphalt mixture is because of the loss of adhesion at the aggregate–bitumen interface and/or the loss of cohesion within the bitumen film. An experimental study was undertaken in this paper to characterise the effects of moisture on the direct tensile strength of aggregate–bitumen bonds. The aim of this paper was to evaluate the moisture sensitivity of aggregate–bitumen bonds in several different aspects, which included moisture absorption, tensile strength and failure surface examination. Moisture absorption and mineralogical compositions of aggregate were measured using gravimetric techniques and a Mineral Liberation Analyser (MLA), respectively, with the results being used to explain the moisture sensitivity of aggregate–bitumen bonds. Aggregate–bitumen bond strength was determined using a self-designed pull-off system with the capability of accurately controlling the bitumen film thickness. The photographs of the failure surface were quantitatively analysed using Image-J software. The results show that the magnitude of the aggregate–bitumen bonding strength in the dry condition is mainly controlled by bitumen. However, the retained tensile strength after moisture conditioning was found to be influenced by the mineralogical composition as well as the moisture diffusion properties of the aggregates. The linear relationship between retained tensile strength and the square root of moisture uptake suggests that the water absorption process controls the degradation of the aggregate–bitumen bond. The results also suggested that the deterioration of aggregate–bitumen bonds is linked to the decrease in cohesive failure percentage.

Citation

Zhang, J., Airey, G. D., Grenfell, J., & Apeagyei, A. K. (in press). Moisture damage evaluation of aggregate–bitumen bonds with the respect of moisture absorption, tensile strength and failure surface. Road Materials and Pavement Design, 18(4), https://doi.org/10.1080/14680629.2017.1286441

Journal Article Type Article
Acceptance Date Oct 8, 2016
Online Publication Date Feb 3, 2017
Deposit Date Mar 15, 2017
Publicly Available Date Mar 28, 2024
Journal Road Materials and Pavement Design
Print ISSN 1468-0629
Electronic ISSN 1468-0629
Publisher Taylor & Francis Open
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 18
Issue 4
DOI https://doi.org/10.1080/14680629.2017.1286441
Keywords pull-off system, aggregate–bitumen bonds, moisture damage, adhesion, cohesion
Public URL https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/847858
Publisher URL http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/14680629.2017.1286441
Additional Information This is an Accepted Manuscript of an article published by Taylor & Francis in Road Materials and Pavement Design on 3 Feb 2017, available online: http://www.tandfonline.com/10.1080/14680629.2017.1286441

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