Quantification of moisture sensitivity of warm mix asphalt using image analysis technique

Abstract

Warm Mix Asphalt (WMA) is susceptible to moisture damage owing to its lower production temperature. Moisture can cause adhesion failure, hence stripping of asphalt binder from aggregates. This paper proposes a new method based on image analysis to estimate the adhesion failure due to moisture on fractured conditioned asphalt surfaces. A novel approach is used to identify the adhesion failure susceptibility due to moisture damage related to its mechanical strength in direct tension. The percent area failure due to adhesion is quantified more precisely via image analysis technique after the specimen were fractured in direct tension. The specimens under observation were evaluated for dry, 1 Freeze Thaw (F-T) cycle and 3 F-T cycles before being fractured by direct tensile force. The Environment for Visualizing Images (ENVI) Version 4.0 image analysis software tool was used to evaluate the extent of adhesion failure.