[Abstract]The bond strength between asphalt and aggregates is a crucial parameter in evaluating the ability of asphaltmixture resistance tomoisture-induced damage. Factors affecting the bond strengthwere investigated based on the binder bond strength (BBS) test. The effects of asphalt filmthickness and loading rate on the results of the BBS test and the relationship between these two factorswere further studied. Then, specimenswere subjected to four moisture conditions to study the impact ofwater on the bond strength. Furthermore, the impact of the complex modulus on the bond strengthwas studied using the dynamic shear rheometer (DSR) test. Finally, the pull-off test resultswere compared with the findings obtained fromthe Hamburg wheel-tracking device (HWTD) test regarding the moisture sensitivity ofmixtures under dry and wet conditions. Results indicate that the pull-off tensile strength (POTS) increasedwith an increase of the loading rate,whereas POTS decreasedwith the increase of the filmthickness. It was proved that an equivalent relationship between these two factors existed in the BBS test. It is interesting that themeasured POTS valueswere basically equal when the loading curves of the same asphalt overlap under different combinations of filmthickness and loading rate.Water had a significant impact on the bond strength, and themoisture condition in the early statewas important in determining the moisture sensitivity of the mixtures. Furthermore, POTS increased with the complexmodulus of asphalt binder,whereas the phase angle of asphalt determined the extent towhich the filmthickness will affect the BBS test results. The comparison of the BBS and HWTD tests confirmed that the BBS test could address themixture resistance towater damage.
