Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Microstructural characteristics of bituminous mix using X-ray CT

  • Published:
International Journal of Pavement Research and Technology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The study of internal structure of bituminous paving mixes is very essential to understand its air void (AV) characteristics, which ultimately influences the structural and functional performances of bituminous mixture. The present study is an attempt to investigate the AV properties and their distribution in a profound and precise manner using an effective and quick three dimensional (3-D) high resolution technology such as X-ray micro computed tomography (X-ray CT) combined with the digital image processing tools. Using 3-D images obtained from imaging technique, the internal structure of bituminous mix was visualized and then image analysis was done to determine various AV parameters such as AV content, number of AV, AV size and shape of AV of the compacted bituminous specimen. Two compaction methods, namely Marshall method and Superpave gyratory compaction (SGC) methods were used to prepare dense graded bituminous concrete (BC) specimens. With the help of continuous spatial data obtained from volumetric X-ray CT images, the variation of AV parameters were assessed along the vertical, horizontal and radial directions of the specimens. The results show that the distribution of various AV parameters is quite uniform in radial direction as compared with vertical and horizontal directions. For both compaction methods, higher percent AVs are present in top and bottom parts of the specimens as compared with the middle part of the specimens. Besides, Marshall specimens exhibit more heterogeneity in the distribution of AV parameters in the horizontal direction as compared with SGC specimens.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. N. Shashidhar, X. Zhong, A. V. Shenoy, E. Bastian, Investigating the role of aggregate structure in asphalt pavements, In Proceedings of the 8th Annual Symposium on Aggregates, Asphalt Concrete, Bases and Fines. International Center for Aggregates Research, Denver, CO, USA, 2000 (CD-ROM).

    Google Scholar 

  2. M. Oda, Initial fabric and their relations to mechanical properties of granular material, Soils and Foundations 12 (1) (1972) 17–36.

    Article  MathSciNet  Google Scholar 

  3. M. Oda, S. Nemat-Nasser, J. Konish, Stress-induced anisotropy in granular masses, Soils and Foundations 25 (3) (1985) 85–97.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  4. B. Muhunthan, J. Chameau, E. Masad, Fabric effects on the yield behavior of soils, Soils and Foundations 36 (3) (1996) 85–97.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  5. L. Tashman, E. Masad, B. Peterson, H. Saleh, Internal structure analysis of asphalt mixes to improve the simulation of Superpave gyratory compaction to field conditions, Assoc. Asphalt Paving Technol. 70 (2001) 605–645.

    Google Scholar 

  6. K. Eriksen, V. Wegan, Optical Methods for Evaluation of Asphalt Concrete and Polymer-Modified Bituminous Binders, Danish Road Institute, Copenhagen, Denmark, (1993).

    Google Scholar 

  7. S. Kose, M. Guler, H. Bahia, E. Masad, Distribution of strains within binders in HMA using imaging and finite element techniques, Transp. Res. Rec. 1728 (1) (2000) 21–27.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  8. G. R. Chehab, E. O’Quinn, Y. R. Kim, Specimen geometry study for direct tension test based on mechanical tests and air void variation in sgc-compacted asphalt concrete specimens, Transp. Res. Rec. 1723 (1) (2000) 125–132.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  9. M. Z. H. Mahmud, N. A. Hassan, M. R. Hainin, C. R. Ismail, Microstructural investigation on air void properties of porous asphalt using virtual cut section, Constr. Buil. Mater. 155 (2017) 485–494.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  10. C. Denison, W. D. Carlson, R. A. Ketcham, Three-dimensional quantitative textural analysis of metamorphic rocks using high-resolution computed X-ray tomography: Part I. Methods and techniques, J. Metamorphic Geol. 15 (1) (1997) 29–44.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  11. S. Jena, B. R. Pathi, M. Panda, Air Void Characterization in Sand-Sulfur-Bitumen Mixes, J. Mater. Civ. Eng. 31 (9) (2019) 04019199.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  12. J. Desruses, R. Chambon, M. Mokni, F. Mazerolle, Void ratio evolution inside shear bands in triaxial sand specimen studied by computed tomography, Geotech. 46 (3) (1996) 529–546.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  13. B. Shi, Y. Murakami, Z. Wu, J. Chen, H. Inyang, Monitoring of internal failure evolution in soils using computerization X-ray tomography, J. Eng. Geol. 54 (3–4) (1999) 321–328.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  14. Y. Geraud, F. Mazerolle, S. Raynaud, P. Lebon, Crack location in granitic samples submitted to heating, low confining pressure and axial loading, Geophys. Inter. J. 133 (1998) 553–567.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  15. J. Desrues, Tracking strain localization in geomaterials using computerized tomography, X-ray CT for Geomater. (2004) 15–41.

  16. E. Landis, D. Keane, X-ray micro-tomography for fracture studies in cement-based materials, Inter. Soci. Optical Eng. 3772 (1999) 105–113.

    Google Scholar 

  17. C. C. Hall, S. L. Jupe, A. C. Jacques, S. Livingston, R. Ramadan, A. Made, A. Barnes, W. Paul, Non-destructive tomographic energy-dispersive diffraction imaging of the interior of bulk concrete, Cement Concrete Res. 30 (3) (2000) 491–495.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  18. Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH), Specifications for road and bridge works, Indian Roads Congress, New Delhi, India, 2013.

    Google Scholar 

  19. A. E. Alvarez, A. E. Martin, C. Estakhri, Connected air voids content in permeable friction course mixtures, J. Test. Eval. 37 (3) (2009) 254–263.

    Google Scholar 

  20. A. E. Alvarez, A. E. Martin, C. Estakhri, Internal structure of compacted permeable friction course mixtures, Constr. Build. Mater. 24 (6) (2010) 1027–1035.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  21. O. N. Scholes, S. A. Clayton, A. F. A. Hoadley, C. Tiu, Permeability anisotropy due to consolidation of compressible porous media, Transp. Porous Media 68 (3) (2007) 365–387.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

The authors gratefully acknowledge the support of Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur, West Bengal, India in utilising the X-ray CT facility for image acquisition. The writers also express their thanks to the technical and nontechnical staff of the Highway Laboratory of National Institute of Technology Rourkela, Odisha, India, for their assistance during the material collection and specimen preparation.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Civil Engineering, National Institute of Technology, Rourkela, Odisha, 769008, India

    Subhashree Jena, Bignya Ranjan Pathi & Mahabir Panda

Authors
  1. Subhashree Jena
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Bignya Ranjan Pathi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Mahabir Panda
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Subhashree Jena.

Additional information

Revised version of a paper presented at 15th World Conference on Transport Research (WCTR), Bombay, Mumbai, India, 26–31 May 2019.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Jena, S., Pathi, B.R. & Panda, M. Microstructural characteristics of bituminous mix using X-ray CT. Int. J. Pavement Res. Technol. 12, 613–622 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s42947-019-0073-5

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s42947-019-0073-5

Keywords

Search

Navigation