Evaluating the feasibility of Freeze-Thaw cycling test on durability of asphalt mixtures: A pilot study

This paper aims at evaluating the feasibility of using an ASTM C666 apparatus in freeze-thaw (F-T) characterizations of asphalt mixtures. Currently, there is no standard available that provides guidelines of how to prepare asphalt specimens for ASTM C666 F-T cycle tests, so this research serves as a pilot study to bring together an innovative material testing methodology to characterize the F-T resistance of asphalt mixtures. Asphalt specimens were tested at six different cycles which were determined to be 0, 100, 150, 200, 250, and 300. After a desired cycle is completed, specimens removed from the apparatus and were tested for their thermal resistance. Based on test results, stiffness values of asphalt mixtures dropped as the number of freezethaw cycle increased. The relationship between the asphalt mixtures and freeze-thaw cycles can be expressed as an exponentially empirical equation. The findings presented in the paper provides a positive trend for future research focusing on the long term durability of asphalt mixtures.