Feasibility and performance of the Semi-circular Bending test in evaluating the low-temperature performance of asphalt mortar

Semi-circular Bending (SCB) test has been widely used to evaluate the fracture performance of asphalt mixtures, but its potential in evaluating low-temperature mixtures at mortar scale seldom investigated. This study aims explore feasibility and SCB tests mortar. To quantify influence crushing local creep top samples on testing results, Digital Image Correlation (DIC) method was characterize displacement field during under different loading rates −10 °C. The effects binder film thickness, filler content, aging condition were investigated by test. experimental design set a fixed nominal maximum aggregate size 4.75 mm. matrix considered three thicknesses (9, 10 11 µm) four contents (8.5%, 9.4%, 10.5% 11%) two conditions (short-term long-term aging). Two cracking indexes including before-peak slope (Sbp) energy (Gf) performance. According results DIC analysis, rate 3 mm/min proposed be optimum for It concluded that can effectively differentiate mortars conditions. Thicker thickness significantly decrease from short-term aging, whereas effect content ageing is not statistically significant.