Using bond strength and surface energy to estimate moisture resistance of asphalt-aggregate systems

The purpose of this paper is to evaluate if bond strength measurements obtained from the Asphalt Bond Strength (ABS) test can be supported by cohesive and adhesive bond strength estimations using surface energy measurements. Surface energy of asphalt binders was obtained from contact angle measurements using Sessile Drop method. By using estimated surface energy of binders and reported values for aggregates, the work of cohesion and work of debonding were calculated and compared to ABS results. Analysis of data shows that ABS results are in agreement with thermodynamics based properties of different asphalt binders.