Low temperature cracking performance of WMA with the use of the Superpave indirect tensile test

Low temperature cracking of wax modified bitumen and asphalt mixtures were studied using the Dynamic Shear Rheometer (DSR), Bending Beam Rheometer (BBR), Superpave IDT and Thermal Stress Restrained Specimens Test (TSRST). Two types of commercial waxes (FT-paraffin and Asphaltan-B) were added to 70/100 penetration grade bitumen. Hot Mix Asphalt (HMA) fracture mechanics was used to determine fracture parameters. Master curves obtained from DSR and BBR test results showed stiffening effect due to wax additive at low temperature. The analysis of covariance was performed using a General Linear Model (GLM) on the Superpave IDT test results for Energy Ratio (ER) by using SPSS (Statistical Program for Social Sciences). Statistical analysis of Superpave IDT results showed a minor negative effect of wax modification at lower temperatures. Statistical analysis also showed that fracture parameters are highly temperature dependent and the two types of aggregate used did not play any significant role in low temperature cracking performance. Results obtained from TSRST tests indicate wax modification has a minor negative effect in low temperature cracking performance of asphalt mixtures.

► A stiffening effect was observed in conventional tests due to wax modification (wax FT and wax AB).
► Wax additives resulted a higher modulus at lower temperatures indicates possible negative effect.
► Wax modification has a minor negative effect in low temperature cracking performance.
► Statistical analysis showed that fracture parameters are highly temperature dependent.
► Aggregate types showed no significant influence in low temperature cracking performance.