Abstract
PURPOSES : The objective of this study was to evaluate the results of the dynamic immersion test (DIT) through digital image analysis (DIA). METHODS : The asphalt binder retained post DIT was inspected visually by more than three investigators. However, because visual observations can be subjective, depending on the inspector's skills and knowledge, DIA was also performed. The threshold value for the DIA was determined by a mesh analysis, in which the digital image to be analyzed is divided into very small meshes. In addition, the bitumen bond strength (BBS) test was also performed to the compare the visual results with the mechanical values. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS : Depending on the materials used, various methods can be used to predict the behavior of retained asphalt. However, the increasing ratio in the trend of retained asphalt shows different behaviors among the evaluation methods. In this study, the results of the visual observations were significantly different from those of the DIA, the mesh analysis, and the BBS tests. Thus, DIA is an appropriate method for evaluating the results of the DIT. However, in order to use this technique in the field, it is necessary to determine a more reasonable threshold value by performing DIA on various materials.
