Evaluating the effects of volumetric properties on the electrical resistivity characteristics of asphalt mixes

The relationships between the electrical resistivity characteristics, Er, and the volumetric properties of asphalt mixtures, i.e., bulk specific gravity, G(mb), air voids in mixture, V-bm, and voids in mineral aggregates, V-ma, were investigated through a novel approach. To this end, 455 Marshall specimens containing calcareous crushed type stone aggregate with 60/70 penetration asphalt binder were fabricated and tested at five different aggregate gradations and seven bitumen contents with thirteen replicate specimens for each experimental combination. Statistical analysis of variance and significance tests were conducted on the test data and the effects of volumetric properties on the electrical resistivity of the specimens were evaluated. Finally, regression analysis method was used to develop some simple correlations between the two data sets.