Fracture performance and cracking mechanism of large-particle size hydraulic asphalt concrete at different temperatures

• Published in: Engineering fracture mechanics 2024-11, Vol.311, p.110530, Article 110530
• Main Authors: He, Jianxin, Lu, Jiannan, Yang, Wu, Liu, Liang, Yang, Haihua
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Crack expansion trajectory; Cracking mechanism; Fracture toughness; Hydraulic asphalt concrete; Large-particle size aggregate
• ISSN: 0013-7944
• DOI: 10.1016/j.engfracmech.2024.110530

•Utilizing a pre-cracked beam bending test, the energy release rate and J-integral fracture toughness of LPSHAC were measured.•The surface strain field was analysed using digital image correlation (DIC) techniques, the cracking characteristics after fracture were also quantitatively investigated.•Proposing the aggregate fracture area ratio (Da), aggregate mortar boundary fracture area ratio (Dam), and mortar fracture area ratio (Dm) as novel metrics to reflect LPSHAC's fracture characteristics at different temperatures. This study investigates the fracture properties of large-particle size hydraulic asphalt concrete (LPSHAC) at various temperatures using pre-cracked trabecular bending tests and digital image correlation (DIC). Results show that temperature significantly affects LPSHAC’s fracture properties, with the energy release rate and J-integral fracture toughness increasing initially and then decreasing as temperature rises. Horizontal strain better characterizes damage progression at higher temperatures. Crack curvature coefficients at 0 °C and 20 °C increased by 8.2 % and 30.1 % compared to that at −20 °C, while the aggregate fracture area ratio rose as the temperature decreased from 20 °C to −20 °C.