Empleo de la prueba “ideal” para el control del agrietamiento en mezclas asfálticas.

Abstract

This degree work exhibits the performance of a novel test for cracking control of asphalt mixtures, whose first tests and publications were given in Austin, Texas in January 2019. The main objective and direction of this work is the implementation of the IDEAL test to asphalt mixtures subjected to three aging levels: short, medium and long term, in order to evaluate their resistance to cracking, based on fracture mechanics, better known as the cracking tolerance index (CTindex), establishing comparisons with the stiffness modulus to assess the potential of this test. For the application of the aging levels, updated criteria were used based on the AASHTO R30 standard and the recommendations of NCHRP Research Report 919. All the mixes used in this study complied with the requirements established by their respective standards. The asphalt mix was satisfactory, complying with each of the established requirements, and was designed and compacted following the Marshall methodology for subsequent cracking tests. The results indicate that the longer the aging period of a sample, the lower the resistance to cracking. In turn, the modulus of rigidity will increase as the number of aging days increases due to the hardening of the specimen, reducing its ductility. These consistent results demonstrate the sensitivity of the IDEAL test under aging conditions. It is recommended to further study the IDEAL test with different work proposals to observe particularities of the tested specimen.