Feasibility of freeze-thaw damage analysis for asphalt mixtures through dynamic nondestructive testing

Abstract Invisible freeze-thaw damage is commonly associated with many durability problems in asphalt pavement. Therefore, the freeze-thaw damage of asphalt pavement should be detected in situ to evaluate the pavement condition. This study aimed to explore the feasibility of freeze-thaw damage analysis for asphalt mixtures through dynamic nondestructive testing. Free–free resonance testing method and Rayleigh wave testing technology were selected for this analysis. Natural frequency, damping ratio, and Rayleigh wave velocity were used to describe the freeze-thaw damage. Optimal experimental parameters were proposed by analyzing the effect of test parameters on the stability and accuracy of results. Variations in the dynamic parameters of asphalt mixtures under freeze-thaw action were analyzed. Results showed that natural frequency, damping ratio, and Rayleigh wave velocity changed regularly during the freeze-thaw process and could be used to analyze the damage after freeze-thaw cycles. The effects of different types of asphalt mixture on the dynamic test parameters during the freeze-thaw process were also examined. Nondestructive testing revealed that the type of asphalt and the gradation of asphalt mixture affected the damage degree of freeze-thaw cycles. The sensitivities of the different test parameters of the freeze-thaw damage were compared via principal component analysis, and the second-order damping ratio was proposed as a reasonable parameter to identify the in situ freeze-thaw damage in asphalt pavement.