A Study on the Fracture Properties of Cement Asphalt Emulsion Mixture Based on the SCB Test

Cement asphalt emulsion mixture (CAEM) is a composite material composed of asphalt emulsion, cement, and graded aggregates. Currently, CAEM is primarily applied as a base course material for highways to improve the cracking resistance of pavement structures. To achieve this goal, the fracture performance of CAEM plays a crucial role. Experimental studies have demonstrated that the fracture behavior of CAEM exhibits a significant correlation with the amount of asphalt emulsion and binder used. The influence of asphalt emulsion and binder content on the fracture parameters of CAEM was investigated through semi-circular bending (SCB) tests, combined with analyses of peak load and fracture energy. Furthermore, the influences of temperature, loading rate, and notch depth on fracture performance were evaluated. The microstructure of the cured binder was characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), while the deformation behavior of CAEM was assessed through creep tests. The experimental results indicate that, to ensure satisfactory fracture resistance in CAEM, the optimal content of asphalt emulsion should be controlled within the range of 2.0~3.0%, with a corresponding binder content of 6.0%. This study provides theoretical and practical guidance for the material design optimization of CAEM, with a specific focus on enhancing fracture resistance performance.