Characterizing the Complex Modulus of Asphalt Concrete Using a Scanning Laser Doppler Vibrometer

Asphalt mixtures are the most common types of pavement material used in the world. Characterizing the mechanical behavior of these complex materials is essential in durable, cost-effective, and sustainable pavement design. One of the important properties of asphalt mixtures is the complex modulus of elasticity. This parameter can be determined using different standardized methods, which are often expensive, complex to perform, and sensitive to the experimental setup. Therefore, recently, there has been considerable interest in developing new, easier, and more comprehensive techniques to investigate the mechanical properties of asphalt. The main objective of this research is to develop an alternative method based on an optical measurement technique (laser Doppler vibrometry). To do this, a frequency domain system identification technique based on analytical formulas (Timoshenko's beam theory) is used to determine the complex modulus of asphalt concrete at its natural frequencies and to form their master curve. The master curve plotted by this method is compared with the master curve obtained from the standard four-point bending test, and it is concluded that the proposed method is able to produce a master curve similar to the master curve of the standard method. Therefore, the proposed method has the potential to replace the standard stiffness tests. Furthermore, the standard stiffness methods usually conduct experiments up to the maximum frequency of 30 Hz. However, the proposed method can provide accurate complex modulus at high frequencies. This makes an accurate comparison between the properties of the asphalt mixtures in high frequencies and the development of more accurate theoretical models for simulation of specimens possible.