Effect of water on the triaxial behavior under dynamic loading of asphalt concrete used in impervious barriers.

• The stiffness of asphalt concrete, after the saturation, remained constant. • No change was recorded in the dynamic response after 12 months of saturation. • Saturation cases an average decrease of 6.5% in the maximum shear modulus. • Saturation cases an average increase of 16.1% in the minimum damping ratio. Dams with an asphalt concrete core are a viable alternative in the construction of rockfill dams; therefore, characterization of the materials used in their construction is required. Part of this characterization requires obtaining the response parameters upon applying cyclic loads under different stress and temperature conditions. The objective of this research is to determine the effect of water on the dynamic properties of asphalt concrete after prolonged contact. To this end, an extensive program of laboratory tests was carried out in which specimens of this material were prepared, saturated and exposed to water. After the saturation process, the results of the tests indicated that the asphalt concrete presented a decrease in the shear modulus of 6.5% and an increase in the damping ratio of 16.1%, on average, with respect to the values obtained for the dry material. No significant change in the mechanical response was observed as a result of exposure to water for a period of up to 12 months. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]