Investigation of size effect in asphalt mixture fracture testing at low temperature

The Semi-Circular Bending (SCB) fracture test is commonly used to evaluate the low temperature fracture properties of asphalt mixtures. The present work investigates the presence of a size effect in SCB fracture testing of asphalt mixtures. Un-notched and notched geometrically similar SCB specimens of various sizes are tested at−24°C loaded by crack-mouth opening displacement (CMOD). The effect of specimen size on the nominal strength is investigated through the well-established size effect theories and conclusions are drawn regarding the fracture behaviour of mixtures at low temperature.