Investigation of the Effect of Oxidative Aging and Temperature Sensitivity on the Illinois Flexibility Index and Disc-Shaped Compact Tension Tests

• Published in: Journal of materials in civil engineering 2023-03, Vol.35 (3)
• Main Authors: Salehi Ashani, Saeid, Varamini, Sina, Tighe, Susan
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Aging; Asphalt; Asphalt mixes; Bituminous cements; Building materials; Civil engineering; Compact tension; Flexibility; Reduction; Technical Papers; Temperature; Tension tests
• ISSN: 0899-1561; 1943-5533
• DOI: 10.1061/(ASCE)MT.1943-5533.0004648

AbstractThis study investigated the sensitivity of the Illinois flexibility index test (I-FIT) and the disc-shaped compact tension [DC(T)] test with respect to oxidative aging and testing temperature. For this purpose, five plant-produced surface course asphalt mixtures covering a wide range of performance-graded asphalt cement (PGAC) were utilized. As for oxidative aging sensitivity, two methods of forced-draft oven aging, at 85°C for 120 h and at 95°C for 72 h, were utilized. Furthermore, to measure the temperature sensitivity, the I-FIT test was conducted at 23°C, 24°C, 25°C and PGAC intermediate temperatures, while the DC(T) test was conducted at −18°C, −24°C, and −30°C. In this study, the analysis of the I-FIT test results from oxidative aging showed that both methods of aging caused a reduction in flexibility index values of asphalt mixtures, and the flexibility index values after two methods of aging were statistically comparable. Moreover, even though oxidative aging caused a reduction in DC(T) fracture energies of asphalt mixtures containing hard PGAC, the fracture energies before and after the two methods of aging were statistically similar for asphalt mixtures. The analysis of the I-FIT test results from testing temperature sensitivity showed that the flexibility index values of asphalt mixtures containing hard PGAC at 23°C were statistically dissimilar to those at 25°C when the testing temperature dropped from 25°C to 23°C. Consequently, regarding the I-FIT test, the comparable flexibility index values from the two methods of oxidative aging suggested utilization of forced-draft oven aging at 95°C for 72 h as a less time-consuming method compared to forced-draft oven aging at 85°C for 120 h to evaluate the effect of oxidative aging. In addition, the variability in flexibility index values due to the drop in testing temperature suggested exercising caution when conducting the test on asphalt mixtures containing hard PGAC.