Determination of Asphalt Pavements Fracture Parameters Using Optical Approaches

This paper deals with the characterization of mode I fracture parameters using a kinematic approach integrating the experimental displacement measured by optical techniques. Tests are carried out using a wedge splitting sample made in asphalt concrete. The WST-cube specimen is a bi-layered asphalt concrete AC12 with Carbon Fiber grid at the interface. The tested material was provided in the RILEM-SIB. During the test the displacement field evolution close to the crack tip was recorded by using the optical techniques. An adjustment procedure was also used to improve the displacement fields and avoid experimental noise. Based on the experimental optical measurements, the energy release rate was performed by means the Crack Relative Displacement Factor and Stress In-tensity Factor. The Mark Tracking method is employed in order to measure the Crack Opening Displacement. This approach allows to consider the assessment of fracture parameters for the real structures.