Mechanical behavior of asphalt mixtures with different aggregate type

• It was identified the influence of aggregate type on the mechanical properties of asphalt mixtures.
• Coarse aggregates have more influence on the stiffness of the asphalt mixture.
• Fine aggregates have more influence on cracking resistance properties.
• The influence of an aggregate depends on the shredding process and the origin.

Measurement of the effect of aggregate type on mechanical properties of asphalt mixtures is a complex and understudied variable. This paper presents main results of an experimental study about the influence of physical properties of different aggregate type on mechanical behavior of asphalt mixtures. With this purpose, twelve different asphalt mixtures have been manufactured, with the same aggregates distribution, but using three different types of aggregates, obtained by two different shredding processes, and four different types of asphalt bitumen (two with different penetration values, one polymer modified bitumen and one with high modulus). Morphological characterization and surface texture measurement have been carried out according to methodologies proposed by Zingg method and ASTM-D3398 Standard. Additionally, stiffness and cracking resistance of asphalt mixtures have been evaluated at four different temperatures by using stiffness modulus test and Fenix Test, respectively. Main results of this study demonstrate that morphology and surface texture of aggregates, both coarse and fine size, influence on stiffness and cracking resistance of evaluated asphalt mixtures, and that this influence depends on the shredding process and the origin of aggregates.