Evaluation
of Arabian Asphalt Binder for Low -Temperature Cracking Behavior
R. Rarnadhan, H. I. AI-Abdul Wahhab, I A. Al-Dubabe, and 1. M. Asi
ABSTRACT:
The
rheological properties of asphalt binder have a great
influence on the asphalt pavement performance particularly in terms of rutting,
thermal and fatigue cracking. The current asphalt specifications, such as those
used in Arabian Gulf countries, arc based on
conventional consistency tests which are focused on the workability of asphalt,
during the construction of pavements. These methods do not have the capability
to predict pavement behavior and performance. This study is an effort to
address the importance of adopting newly developed asphalt specification tests
by the Strategic Highway
Research Program (SHRP), to characterize and evaluate the Arabian
Gulf produced asphalts in terms of low-temperature cracking. The
major finding of this study was that all Arabian Gulf
asphalts can satisfactorily withstand the low temperature effect prevailing in
the area.