Studying the mechanical behaviour of asphalt mixture with the grid method

Abstract

The aim of this work is to analyse the strain fields that take place in several asphalt mixture specimens subjected to compression tests. The grid technique is used for this purpose. The main features of this strain measurement technique are first described. The obtained results are then discussed. They show that very strong heterogeneities take place in the strain fields. They are due to the very different mechanical properties of the constituents. Various testing conditions are also investigated because they directly influence the quality of the measurements and the ability of the grid technique to detect small strain amplitudes with a good spatial resolution, this last feature being crucial here because of the very nature of the material under test. © 2012 Wiley Publishing Ltd.