Implementation of the SuperPave Indirect Tensile Test (IDT) Analysis Procedure

Cracking is one of the most severe distress modes of asphalt pavements. Thus characterizing the fracture resistance properties of asphalt mixtures is the key issue for improving the performance related mixture design. The present master thesis project addresses the implementation of the theoretical framework, which is used to characterize the fracture resistance of mixtures based on the SuperPave indirect tensile test (IDT). An open source Matlab-based software for analyzing resilient modulus, Poisson’s ratio, creep parameters and fracture resistance parameters has been developed. The software analyses the the IDT results, toestimate mixture’s fracture resistance based on hot mix asphalt FractureMechanics. Predictions form the field specimens concerning the fractureresistance obtained from IDT are compared with observed field performance.