Characterization of Water Sensitivity of Asphalt Mixtures with Coaxial Shear Test

The CoAxial Shear Test (CAST) performs fatigue test under simultaneous action of dynamic loading, temperature cycles and water, and modulus test on wet or dry specimen. Both a dense graded and an open graded mixture were studied at different air void content. The water sensitivity of both mixtures was determined by comparing fatigue performance of dry and wet tests. Additionally, the effects of water action, temperature and loading cycles were also investigated by comparison of modulus test before (undamaged specimen) and after (damaged specimen) each fatigue test. The introduced Water Sensitivity Index for fatigue test confirms that water damage in asphalt pavements is considerably related to air voids. Finally, the modulus test analysis allowed explaining also the different consequences of environmental factors on viscoelastic properties of asphalt mixtures by using the Standard Linear Solid model. © 2008 Lavoisier.