This document specifies uniaxial tension tests for characterizing the resistance of an asphalt mixture against low temperature cracking. The results of the uniaxial tension tests can be used to evaluate the following:
- tensile strength at a specified temperature, using the uniaxial tension stress test (UTST);
- minimum temperature that the asphalt can resist before failure, using the thermal stress restrained specimen test (TSRST);
- tensile strength reserve at a specified temperature (using a combination of TSRST and UTST);
- relaxation time, using the relaxation test (RT);
- creep curve to back calculate rheological parameters, using the tensile creep tests (TCT);
- fatigue resistance at low temperatures due to the combination of cryogenic and mechanical loads, using the uniaxial cyclic tension stress tests (UCTST).