Effect of temperature and pressure on the degradation of cement asphalt mortar exposed to water

Water erosion is one of the major factors for performance degradation of cement asphalt mortar (CAM). In the paper, the strength variations of CAM exposed to water was investigated at various water temperatures (20 °C, 40 °C and 60 °C) and pressures (0.0 MPa, 0.1 MPa, 0.2 MPa, 0.3 MPa, 0.4 MPa and 0.5 MPa) and the microstructure evolution was analyzed by mercury intrusion porosimetry (MIP) and scan electronic microscope (SEM). Results indicate that temperature and pressure both cause the deterioration of CAM, the compressive strength of CAM decreases with higher water temperature and its compressive strength decreases with increases of water pressure.

► Water erosion of CAM was studied at varied temperature and pressure.
► Compressive strength of CAM decreases with increases of water temperature.
► Compressive strength of CAM decreases with increases of water pressure.