The Effect of Carbon Fibers on the Tensile Behavior of Bitumen Beams

Abstract

Fatigue cracking is one of the most important types of failures, which decrease the asphalt pavement service life. Carbon fibers are amongst of the additives that have high tensile strength. It is expected this fiber reduce pavement cracks which increases the fatigue life of pavement. This paper experimentally investigated the effect of the carbon fibers on bitumen specimens. Hence, the effects of fiber characteristics such as length and fiber percentage on the indirect tensile strength and Marshall stability of asphalt mixture were studied. Then, the effect of fibers on bitumen and mastic behavior, which is the main objective of the study, was evaluated. Beam specimens were subjected to three-point bending tests to determine the effect of carbon fibers. Carbon fibers had a positive effect on the tensile strength of bitumen beams at loading rates of 0.5, 2, and 5 mm/min up to 100%. Mastic exhibited a similar behavior to pure bitumen in combination with fibers.