Embankment dams with asphalt concrete cores have been constructed on practically all continents with satisfactory results. Nowadays many advantages, such as the mechanical strength, are known that makes asphalt concrete a competitive alternative for the construction of the impervious elements of dams. However, the current available information does not describe the effect of prolonged contact between asphalt concrete and water on the structure of an embankment dam. In this research cylindrical asphalt concrete specimens with a void content similar to that used in impervious barriers of dams were fabricated and submerged in water for a prolonged period to simulate the conditions experienced by asphalt concrete placed inside an embankment dam as its core material. Subsequently, triaxial compression tests were conducted on the specimens. The results indicated that the asphalt concrete exhibited a reduction in strength because of the saturation process to which the material was subjected. However, no changes were observed in the mechanical response to prolonged contact with water for periods of up to 12 months.

几乎在所有大洲都建造了带有沥青混凝土芯的堤坝，效果令人满意。如今，已知许多优势，例如机械强度，使沥青混凝土成为建造大坝不透水构件的竞争性选择。但是，当前可获得的信息并未描述沥青混凝土与水之间长时间接触对堤坝结构的影响。在这项研究中，制造了具有与大坝不透水屏障相似的空隙率的圆柱形沥青混凝土标本，并将其长时间浸入水中，以模拟置于堤坝中作为核心材料的沥青混凝土所经历的条件。随后，对样品进行了三轴压缩试验。结果表明，由于材料经受的饱和过程，沥青混凝土显示出强度降低。但是，在长达12个月的时间里，长时间与水接触的机械响应没有变化。