PURPOSES : It is well known that low temperature cracking is one of the most serious distresses on asphalt pavement, especially for northern U.S. (including Alaska), Canada and the northern part of south Korea. The risk of thermal cracking can be numerically measured by estimating thermal stress of a given asphalt mixture. This thermal stress can be computed by low temperature creep testing. Currently, in-direct tensile (IDT) mixture creep test mentioned in AASHTO specification is used for measuring low temperature creep properties of a given asphalt mixture. However, IDT requires the use of expensive testing equipment for performing the sophisticated analysis process, however, very few laboratories utilize this equipment. In this paper, a new and simple performance test (SPT) method: bending beam rheometer (BBR) mixture creep testing equipment is introduced, and the estimated experimental results were compared with those of conventional IDT tests. METHODS: Three different asphalt mixtures containing reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP) and roofing shingles were prepared in the Korea Expressway Corporation (KEC) research laboratory. Using the BBR and IDT, the low temperature creep stiffness data were measured and subsequently computed. Using a simple power-law function, the creep stiffness data were converted into relaxation modulus, and subsequently compared. Finally, thermal stress results were computed from relaxation modulus master curve using Gaussian quadrature approach with condierations of 24 Gauss number. RESULTS: In the case of the conventional asphalt mixture, similar trends were observed when the relaxation modulus and thermal stress results were compared. In the case of RAP and Shingle added mixtures, relatively different computation results were obtained. It can be estimated that different experimental surroundings and specimen sizes affected the results. CONCLUSIONS: It can be said that the BBR mixture creep test can be a more viable approach for measuring low temperature properties of asphalt mixture compared to expensive and complex IDT testing methods. However, more extensive research and analysis are required to further verify the feasibility of the BBR mixture creep test.

Field or laboratory wheel tracking tests have been employed for the evaluation of the rutting potential of asphalt paving mixtures. Compared to field tests, laboratory wheel tracking tests are much less expensive and more manageable for most road projects. However, most test laboratories are not equipped to perform such tests because there does not exist any standard test procedure, and the required equipment is rather expensive. Futhermore, the size of test specimens and the relatively large quantity of test mixture required present difficulties for laboratory specimen mixing and compaction. This paper describes a project conducted to study the feasibility of replacing wheel tracking testsby a repeated-load creep test for rutting potential evaluation. Comparisons were made between the results of the two tests for different test temperatures, loading speeds and applied pressures. Three types of asphalt mixtures were studied in the test program. Favorable conclusions concerning the use of the repeated-load test for rutting potential evaluation were drawn based on the findings of the experimental test results. The correlation between the two types of tests was found to be good for all threeasphalt mixtures. Adopting the repeated-load creep test would lead to cost savings since it employs standard test equipment already available in most laboratories. It would also result in substantial time savings due to the much smaller quantity of mix needed, and the ease in specimen preparation.