ABSTRACT
A laboratory investigation of the influence of binder characteristics on low temperature behavior of asphalt mixtures was conducted. Seven different modified asphalt with characteristics measured using conventional methods as well as Bending Beam Rheometer (BBR) testing were used in this study. Low temperature performance of asphalt mixture characterized by Fracture Temperature (FT) and fracture stress were measured using Thermal Stress Restrained Specimen Test (TSRST). Statically analysis between binder characteristics and TSRST fracture temperatures of asphalt mixture were discussed, test results show that penetration of binder, fiber additive, Styrene-Butadiene-Styrene (SBS) and rubber modification of binder improve fracture temperature of asphalt mixture while Polyethylene (PE) decrease fracture temperature. Comparison between BBR results and TSRST fracture temperature indicates that BBR is a good method to evaluate low temperature cracking of mixture.
