What is a primary effect of moisture damage on asphalt's performance?

Moisture damage significantly affects the performance of asphalt by leading to reduced durability, primarily due to the stripping of the bond between the asphalt binder and the aggregate particles. This process occurs when water infiltrates the asphalt mixture, causing the adhesive bond that holds the aggregates together to weaken.

As moisture seeps in, it can disrupt the cohesive properties of the asphalt binder and the adhesive properties that keep the aggregate particles adhered to the binder. This degradation can result in a significant loss of structural integrity, allowing for potholes, rutting, and surface distresses. Hence, the performance of the asphalt is compromised, making it less suitable for its intended use and necessitating costly repairs or replacements.

In contrast, the other options do not represent the impact of moisture damage accurately. For instance, while flexibility is critical for asphalt performance, moisture damage does not lead to any improvement in this attribute; the opposite is true, as damaged asphalt typically loses some of its flexibility. Similarly, moisture does not enhance thermal resistance nor does it result in decreased production costs. In fact, addressing moisture damage typically requires additional work and materials to preserve the asphalt’s integrity, which can increase production costs.