Date of Graduation

5-2025

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science in Civil Engineering (MSCE)

Degree Level

Graduate

Department

Civil Engineering

Advisor/Mentor

Braham, Andrew F.

Committee Member

Hall, Kevind D.

Second Committee Member

Sasidharan, Lekshmi

Keywords

Asphalt Materials; Cracking Resistance; Sealant Materials

Abstract

In the United States, 43% of the pavement network is in poor condition which can be attributed primarily to different modes of cracking. This network is constantly exposed to the elements and loading leading to thermal and fatigue cracking respectively. Cracking can be addressed through two primary means: mix design and preservation through the application of treatments. However, evaluating these two avenues requires a test that can easily and effectively measure the influence of these factors on thermal and fatigue cracking performance. The two main objectives of this study were to explore the influence of non-standard treatment material (sealant material) on thermal cracking and the development of a dynamic loading fatigue test in the BBR. Little research has been done regarding the effect of sealant material application on the thermal cracking properties (creep stiffness and m-value) of asphalt mixtures in the BBR. In addition, as of 2025 there has been no dynamic loading test developed using the BBR. The experimental matrix included five different mixtures consisting of 3 binder grades (PG 64-22, PG 70-22, and PG 76-22), two NMAS (9.5 and 12.5 mm), and three levels of aging (0, 3, and 5 days). This was followed by five different sealant materials (PJS, FAMF, CTE, CRS-2P, HAAS) applied onto aged base beams. The development of the dynamic loading test was developed using AASHTO T 321 as a basis. PG 76-22 12.5 mm was the best mixture with average creep stiffness and m-value ranging for 4938-6391 MPa and 0.135-0.108 respectively over the 0 day to 5 days of aging. FAMF was the best sealant with an average creep stiffness and m-value of 2611 MPa and 0.114, respectively. The development of the new fatigue test resulted in a functioning software, but the presence of hysteresis couldn’t be addressed so an observed flexural stiffness value was proposed. Both PG 76-22 12.5 mm and PG 64-22 9.5 mm exhibited an increase in stiffness during dynamic loading testing. It was concluded that polymer modification and the application of sealant greatly improved the thermal cracking performance of asphalt mixtures. In addition, in order to further the development of the dynamic loading test the presence of hysteresis must be addressed as well as the variation in loading waveforms because of switching mixture types.

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