Stress-Strain Behavior of Asphalt Concrete as a Sealing Core in Earth fill Dams under Cyclic Loading

Behavior of asphalt concrete samples as a sealing element in earthfill dams' core under cyclic loading was investigated in the present study. Asphalt concrete specimens were prepared and tested based on criteria of ICOLD for asphalt concrete core and ASTM standards for bituminous mixtures. Samples with different aggregate size and bituminous content were tested by means of a cyclic triaxial system. Different levels of confining pressure and deviator stresse were exerted to each sample. Results obtained from more than 80 tests show that asphalt concrete behave properly under cyclic loading and specimens stay intact after applying 200 cycles. Amount of shear modulus ranges between 100 to 300 MPa and damping scatteres in the range of 0.05 to 0.30. Both are dependant to max aggregate size and bitumeninous content.