# Temporal Deformation Characteristics of Hydraulic Asphalt Concrete Slope Flow Under Different Test Temperatures

## TL;DR

This study examines how temperature affects the deformation of hydraulic asphalt concrete slopes over time.

## Contribution

A novel temperature-controlled test apparatus was developed to analyze slope flow deformation under varying temperatures.

## Key findings

- Slope flow deformation evolves through three distinct stages influenced by temperature changes.
- Thermal stability is governed by phase transitions between asphalt binder and aggregates.
- The thermal stability temperature influence factor (δ) follows a nonlinear concave growth trend with temperature.

## Abstract

To investigate temporal deformation mechanisms of hydraulic asphalt concrete slope flow under evolving temperatures, this study developed a novel temperature-controlled slope flow intelligent test apparatus. Using this apparatus, slope flow tests were conducted at four temperature levels: 20 °C, 35 °C, 50 °C, and 70 °C. By applying nonlinear dynamics theory, the temporal evolution of slope flow deformation and its nonlinear mechanical characteristics under varying temperatures were thoroughly analyzed. Results indicate that the thermal stability of hydraulic asphalt concrete is synergistically governed by the phase-transition behavior between asphalt binder and aggregates. Temporal evolution of slope flow exhibits a distinct three-stage pattern as follows: rapid growth (0~12 h), where sharp temperature rise disrupts the primary skeleton of coarse aggregates; decelerated growth (12~24 h), where an embryonic secondary skeleton forms and progressively resists deformation; stabilization (>24 h), where reorganization of coarse aggregates is completed, establishing structural equilibrium. The thermal stability temperature influence factor (δ) shows a nonlinear concave growth trend with increasing test temperature. Dynamically, this process transitions sequentially through critical stability, nonlinear stability, period-doubling oscillatory stability, and unsteady states.