Factors affecting splitting strength for AC-13 modified asphalt mixture and Marshall performance standard correlation

The affecting factors of the 15°C splitting strength of AC-13 modified asphalt mixture, their significantly order and their correlation with the Marshall performance index were investigated by means of the orthogonal test design and the statistical analysis method. The results showed that the fine aggregate gradation affects significantly the 15°C splitting strength, the significance order of the factors is:2.36 mm passing rate > 4.75 mm passing rate > 0.075 mm passing rate > OAC > 9.5 mm passing rate. The 2.36 passing rate shows highly significant effect on the splitting strength, while the OAC and the 9.5 mm passing rate have no significant effect. The splitting strength is obviously linearly correlated with the Marshall performance index with an absolute correlation coefficient of more than 68%. Along with the gradual increase of VV, the splitting strength of the asphalt mixture decays nearly by 30%.