Short- and long-term mechanical performances of damaged porous asphalt mixture treated with asphalt emulsion

Porous asphalt (PA) pavement usually has a short service life due to the ravelling distress. Spraying surface treatment (ST) asphalt emulsion could alleviate it. However, the effects of ST on the short- and long-term mechanical performances of PA mixture are unclear. Therefore, this study used repeated axial load test, indirect tensile fatigue test and indirect tensile cracking test to evaluate the rutting, fatigue and cracking resistances of damaged PA under different curing durations, respectively. Two curing temperatures, 25 and 60°C, were considered here. Results showed that the mechanical properties of ST treated PA were significantly improved in short-term. The durability of mechanical properties is good based on long-term observation data. The rutting resistance of treated PA was not compromised if the application rate of ST is well controlled. A high curing temperature could expedite recovery efficiency of damaged PA, but it was accompanied by faster aging, which cannot be ignored.