ABSTRACT
The tensile behaviour of asphalt films confined between aggregates particles as an adhesive was inspected to appraise the direct adhesion bond between asphalt binder and the surface of aggregate using a set of laboratory experiments including the direct tension test.
The effects of test type, asphalt cement type, modifier type, and mixing proportions on the practical work of fracture were investigated. The results revealed that all the included variables have great impact on the practical work of fracture required to failure. Specifically, the practical work of fracture required to produce failure decreased with the increase in testing temperature and the decrease in asphalt binder film thickness. The greatest reduction in practical work of fracture was due to the presence of water; especially for asphalt binder modified by SBS with higher reduction ratio of 61%. In contrast, the smallest value of reduction ratio, 13%, was in the case of anti-stripping agent BG plus-modified asphalt binder.
