EN 12697-44:2019
(Main)Bituminous mixtures - Test methods - Part 44: Crack propagation by semi-circular bending test
General Information
- Abstract
This document specifies the Semi-Circular Bending (SCB) test method to determine the tensile strength or fracture toughness of an asphalt mixture for the assessment of the potential for crack propagation. The results of the test can be used to calculate:
- the maximum load that the material containing a notch (crack) can resist before failure;
- when the presence of a notch is critical.
It should be noted that the test only describes a method to determine the resistance to crack propagation of an asphalt mixture. The crack propagation phase describes the second part of failure mechanism during dynamic loading. The first phase, which is the crack initiation phase, is mainly covered by the fatigue test (EN 12697-24).
- Status
- Published
- Publication Date
- 05-Mar-2019
- Withdrawal Date
- 29-Sep-2019
- Technical Committee
- CEN/TC 227 - Road materials
- Drafting Committee
- CEN/TC 227/WG 1 - Bituminous mixtures
- Current Stage
- 9060 - Closure of 2 Year Review Enquiry - Review Enquiry
- Start Date
- 02-Sep-2024
- Completion Date
- 02-Sep-2024
Overview - EN 12697-44:2019 (SCB test for bituminous mixtures)
EN 12697-44:2019 is a CEN standard that specifies the Semi‑Circular Bending (SCB) test method for bituminous mixtures (asphalt). The method determines tensile strength or fracture toughness of an asphalt mixture to assess its susceptibility to crack propagation. Results allow calculation of the maximum load a notched specimen can resist (Fmax) and whether a notch (pre‑existing crack) is critical for failure. The test focuses on the crack propagation phase of failure; crack initiation is mainly covered by EN 12697‑24 (fatigue testing).
Key topics and technical requirements
- Test principle: a half‑cylinder (semi‑circular) specimen with a centre notch is loaded in three‑point bending so tensile stress occurs at the base; deformation is applied at a constant rate and the maximum load (Fmax) is recorded.
- Specimen and notches:
- Height tolerance added: (74 ± 1) mm.
- Notch width tolerance: (0.40 ± 0.20) mm.
- Loading and rates:
- Constant displacement rate of (5.0 ± 0.2) mm/min during the test.
- Apparatus accuracy:
- Test machine range at least 50 kN.
- Load measurement accuracy ±0.2 kN.
- Displacement measurement accuracy ±0.01 mm.
- Roller support geometry: centre‑to‑centre support length (120.0 ± 0.5) mm, roller diameter (35.0 ± 0.5) mm.
- Measured quantities and outputs:
- Maximum force (Fmax), tensile strength, fracture toughness (KIc, unit N/mm1.5), strain and stress at failure.
- Test scope: method for resistance to crack propagation only; not a full fatigue initiation assessment.
Applications - who uses EN 12697-44:2019
- Pavement materials laboratories for mix characterization and quality control.
- Road and pavement engineers for mixture design and selection of crack‑resistant asphalt.
- Contractors and QA/QC teams for acceptance testing and verification of production mixes.
- Research organizations and universities studying fracture mechanics, asphalt crack propagation, or comparing binder/aggregate effects.
- Forensic investigations of pavement distress to quantify propagation resistance.
Practical benefits include objective comparison of mixes, support for specification limits, and data for modelling crack growth in pavements.
Related standards
- EN 12697‑24 - Fatigue test (crack initiation phase)
- EN 12697‑27 - Sampling
- EN 12697‑31 - Specimen preparation by gyratory compactor
- EN 12697‑33 - Specimen prepared by roller compactor
- EN 12697‑35 - Laboratory mixing
Keywords: EN 12697-44:2019, SCB test, semi‑circular bending test, bituminous mixtures, asphalt fracture toughness, crack propagation, pavement materials, tensile strength, CEN.
Relations
- Effective Date
- 08-Jun-2022
- Effective Date
- 28-Jan-2026
- Effective Date
- 28-Jan-2026
- Effective Date
- 28-Jan-2026
- Effective Date
- 28-Jan-2026
- Effective Date
- 28-Jan-2026
- Effective Date
- 28-Jan-2026
- Effective Date
- 28-Jan-2026
- Referred By
EN 13108-1:2016 - Bituminous mixtures - Material specifications - Part 1: Asphalt Concrete - Effective Date
- 28-Jan-2026
- Effective Date
- 28-Jan-2026
- Referred By
EN 13108-5:2016 - Bituminous mixtures - Material specifications - Part 5: Stone Mastic Asphalt - Effective Date
- 28-Jan-2026
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Frequently Asked Questions
EN 12697-44:2019 is a standard published by the European Committee for Standardization (CEN). Its full title is "Bituminous mixtures - Test methods - Part 44: Crack propagation by semi-circular bending test". This standard covers: This document specifies the Semi-Circular Bending (SCB) test method to determine the tensile strength or fracture toughness of an asphalt mixture for the assessment of the potential for crack propagation. The results of the test can be used to calculate: - the maximum load that the material containing a notch (crack) can resist before failure; - when the presence of a notch is critical. It should be noted that the test only describes a method to determine the resistance to crack propagation of an asphalt mixture. The crack propagation phase describes the second part of failure mechanism during dynamic loading. The first phase, which is the crack initiation phase, is mainly covered by the fatigue test (EN 12697-24).
This document specifies the Semi-Circular Bending (SCB) test method to determine the tensile strength or fracture toughness of an asphalt mixture for the assessment of the potential for crack propagation. The results of the test can be used to calculate: - the maximum load that the material containing a notch (crack) can resist before failure; - when the presence of a notch is critical. It should be noted that the test only describes a method to determine the resistance to crack propagation of an asphalt mixture. The crack propagation phase describes the second part of failure mechanism during dynamic loading. The first phase, which is the crack initiation phase, is mainly covered by the fatigue test (EN 12697-24).
EN 12697-44:2019 is classified under the following ICS (International Classification for Standards) categories: 93.080.20 - Road construction materials. The ICS classification helps identify the subject area and facilitates finding related standards.
EN 12697-44:2019 has the following relationships with other standards: It is inter standard links to EN 12697-44:2010, EN 12697-35:2025, EN 12697-31:2019, EN 12697-33:2019+A1:2022, EN 12697-27:2017, EN 13108-20:2016, EN 13108-31:2019, EN 13108-7:2016, EN 13108-1:2016, EN 13108-9:2016, EN 13108-5:2016. Understanding these relationships helps ensure you are using the most current and applicable version of the standard.
EN 12697-44:2019 is available in PDF format for immediate download after purchase. The document can be added to your cart and obtained through the secure checkout process. Digital delivery ensures instant access to the complete standard document.
Standards Content (Sample)
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.Bitumenske zmesi - Preskusne metode - 44. del: Širjenje razpoke s polkrožnim upogibnim preskusomAsphalt - Prüfverfahren - Teil 44: Bestimmung der Rissausbreitung mittels Halbzylinder-BiegeversuchMélanges bitumineux - Méthodes d'essai - Partie 44 : Propagation de fissure par essai de flexion d'un bloc semi-circulaireBituminous mixtures - Test methods - Part 44: Crack propagation by semi-circular bending test93.080.20Materiali za gradnjo cestRoad construction materialsICS:Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z:EN 12697-44:2019SIST EN 12697-44:2019en,fr,de01-maj-2019SIST EN 12697-44:2019SLOVENSKI
STANDARDSIST EN 12697-44:20101DGRPHãþD
EUROPEAN STANDARD NORME EUROPÉENNE EUROPÄISCHE NORM
EN 12697-44
March
t r s { ICS
{ uä r z rä t r Supersedes EN
s t x { yæ v vã t r s rEnglish Version
Bituminous mixtures æ Test methods æ Part
v vã Crack propagation by semiæcircular bending test Mélanges bitumineux æ Méthodes d 5essai æ Partie
v v ã Propagation de fissure par essai de flexion d 5un bloc semiæcirculaire
Asphalt æ Prüfverfahren æ Teil
v vã Bestimmung der Rissausbreitung mittels HalbzylinderæBiegeversuch This European Standard was approved by CEN on
s { November
t r s zä
egulations which stipulate the conditions for giving this European Standard the status of a national standard without any alterationä Upætoædate lists and bibliographical references concerning such national standards may be obtained on application to the CENæCENELEC Management Centre or to any CEN memberä
translation under the responsibility of a CEN member into its own language and notified to the CENæCENELEC Management Centre has the same status as the official versionsä
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Rue de la Science 23,
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t r s { CEN All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved worldwide for CEN national Membersä Refä Noä EN
s t x { yæ v vã t r s { ESIST EN 12697-44:2019
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