Impact of freeze-thaw cycles on the performance of asphalt mixture based permeability

Raveling caused by water under freeze-thaw cycles is the main distress in highway of Chinese seasonal frozen region. Through the studies on permeability of AC-16 mixtures, the quantity of water infiltrating mixtures could be controlled. Experiments of freeze-thaw cycles based on permeability were performed to investigate the strength variation of asphalt mixtures. Other parameters investigated in freeze-thaw cycles were percent air voids, relative volume, water absorptivity and height of mixtures. Results from the experiments indicate that the strength damage of mixture can consist of three successive phases, which can be validated from the variation of other parameters. The study can interpret the damage process under freeze-thaw cycles and have guidance effects to the construction of asphalt mixtures.