ABSTRACT
ABSTRACT: A cyclic semi-circular bending beam test was used to study the crack propagation characteristics of two materials: a cold emulsion asphalt and its hot mix equivalent. Linear elastic fracture mechanics principles were used in the analysis which evaluated the materials’ stress intensity factor and the Paris Law constants. Two approaches were adopted in interpreting crack growth: a simple straight line method and an effective, more accurate crack path depiction. Results showed that the cold mixture crack growth rate is less sensitive to applied stress than that of the hot asphalt. Although crack growth rate was found higher with the effective interpretation method, the influence of the two methods on the Paris Law parameters for both materials was found insignificant, given the observed data scatter.
