Dynamic Modulus Testing of Asphalt Concrete in Indirect Tension Mode

Abstract

This study presents the results from an analytical and experimental study on the dynamic modulus testing of hot-mix asphalt using the indirect tension (IDT) mode. An analytical solution for the dynamic modulus in the IDT mode was developed with the use of linear viscoelasticity. To verify the analytical solution, temperature and frequency sweep tests were conducted on 12 asphalt mixtures commonly used in North Carolina; both axial compression and IDT test methods were used. A modified dynamic modulus test protocol is introduced to reduce the required testing time by using more frequencies and fewer temperatures on the basis of the time-temperature superposition principle. A comparison of results from the axial compression and IDT test methods shows that the dynamic modulus master curves and shift factors derived from the two methods are in good agreement. It also was found that Poisson's ratio was a weak function of the loading frequency; its effect on the phase angle master curve is discussed.