The present study focuses on the application of an acoustic emission (AE) based laboratory test to evaluate low-temperature cracking performance of several types of asphalt materials in the context of a recently completed national pooled fund study on low-temperature cracking (LTC). Comparisons are made between AE test results and the critical cracking temperature of asphalt binders determined from Bending Beam Rheometer (BBR) test and Direct Tension Test (DTT), which are in turn compared to field observed thermal cracking in the corresponding test sections. Based upon our findings, recommendations are made as to the potential use of the AE-based technique in asphalt binder specification. (c) 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
