Freeze–Thaw Damage in Asphalt Mixture: Influencing Factors, Mechanism, Evaluation Methods, and Simulations

Asphalt pavements are often subjected to freeze–thaw cycles, particularly in regions with distinct winter–spring transitions or frequent temperature fluctuations around zero, leading to freeze–thaw damage in the asphalt mixture. To deepen the understanding of the current research on the freeze–thaw damage behavior of asphalt mixture, this review first summarizes the key factors influencing freeze–thaw damage. The mechanism of freeze–thaw damage is analyzed from both physical and chemical perspectives. Based on various experimental types, this review lists the indicators used to assess the freeze–thaw damage of asphalt mixture and summarizes the application of numerical simulations in freeze–thaw damage research, covering common simulation directions, software, and model generation methods. A comprehensive analysis indicates that the freeze–thaw damage of asphalt mixture results from the combined effects of external factors (such as the number of freeze–thaw cycles, temperature, and so forth) and internal factors (such as moisture saturation, void structure, gradation, and so forth), leading to performance degradation under the dual influence of physical changes and chemical reactions. The damage occurs in three parts: the asphalt binder, the asphalt mixture, and the asphalt–aggregate interface. Various macro- and microlevel experiments can accelerate the simulation of freeze–thaw damage, with experimental parameters serving as indicators for assessing the degree of damage. Given the discrepancies between laboratory conditions and real-world pavement environments, numerical simulations provide an effective approach to overcoming experimental limitations and facilitating in-depth multiscale analysis of freeze–thaw damage. Based on the existing studies, some areas for further investigation are suggested. This review provides scholars with a more systematic reference on the freeze–thaw damage of asphalt mixture, thereby advancing understanding and research in this field.