Alteration of initial and residual healing potential of asphalt binders due to aging, rejuvenation, and polymer modification

Author(s):  
Babak Asadi ◽  
Nader Tabatabaee
Author(s):  
E. Eugene Shin ◽  
Alekh Bhurke ◽  
Edward Scott ◽  
Steve Rozeveld ◽  
Lawrence T. Drzal

The effects of polymer modification on microstructure, morphology, and failure modes of asphalt binders and their concretes were investigated using various test methodologies that have been newly developed or modified. Results from the good and bad samples (i.e., a new Marshall concrete specimen and an aged road core, flexible pavement that showed signs of stripping, respectively) confirmed the reliability and applicability of the test methods. Two different viscosity-graded asphalt binders, AC-5 and AC-10, with two types of network thermoplastics, styrene-butadiene-styrene and styrene-ethylene-butadiene-styrene block copolymers, were studied for void morphology, binder phase morphology, statistical void image analysis, and failure modes as a function of polymer concentration and test temperature. One of the most striking results is that a highly entangled fibrillar network structure has been observed from both straight and polymer-modified asphalt binders after an electron beam etching. It was also observed that the morphology of the network altered with prestraining or binder aging. Void morphology and statistical void analysis were well characterized with the methods developed, but no significant effect of polymer modification was observed. From the fracture studies, however, the polymer modification indicated strong influence on both microdeformation behavior and failure mode of the asphalt concretes.


Fuel ◽  
2009 ◽  
Vol 88 (9) ◽  
pp. 1539-1546 ◽  
Author(s):  
Felice Giuliani ◽  
Filippo Merusi ◽  
Sara Filippi ◽  
Dario Biondi ◽  
Maria Letizia Finocchiaro ◽  
...  

Author(s):  
David A. Anderson ◽  
Yann M. Le Hir ◽  
Jean-Pascal Planche ◽  
Didier Martin ◽  
Aroon Shenoy

Recently there has been considerable interest, especially in Europe, in the use of zero shear viscosity (ZSV) as a specification criterion for asphalt binders. This interest is precipitated by the apparent inability of the current Superpave® criterion, G*/sin(δ), to capture the contribution to rutting resistance afforded by polymer modification. ZSV can be determined directly from long-term creep tests, but such tests are timeconsuming and are often very difficult to perform. Several alternative methods for determining the ZSV have been proposed in the literature, including extrapolating the dynamic viscosity to zero frequency; applying the Cross model to dynamic data; and superimposing multiple short-term, non-steady-state creep tests. A number of methods for determining the ZSV from both creep and dynamic data were evaluated. Laboratory test data for 10 unmodified and modified binders were obtained through a series of creep and dynamic experiments. ZSV values obtained from two of the more promising methods were compared, along with a comparison of the ZSV ranking with the Superpave grading temperature. Two of the methods provided very similar values for the ZSV when applied over a considerable range in test temperature, and the results from the two methods could be used interchangeably for the materials that were tested. The binders ranked quite differently when ranked according to their Superpave grading temperature or their ZSV.


2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (20) ◽  
pp. 8594
Author(s):  
Greg White

The desire to develop sustainable infrastructure, including pavement structures and materials, is ever increasing in recent times. One opportunity is to partially replace high-cost bituminous binder with low-cost recycled plastic in asphalt mixtures. This synthesis combines the various research efforts to understand the effects of two commercially available recycled plastics, known as MR6 and MR10, on bituminous binders and asphalt mixtures. Using common test methods from the United Kingdom, the United States and Australia, generally consistent and significant effects were observed in various base bitumen grades and various common asphalt mixture types. Binder resistance to flow and binder elasticity both increased significantly and were associated with the three to four grade increases under the Performing Grading system. Similarly, mixture stiffness and mixture resistance to deformation increased significantly, while crack resistance and moisture damage resistance were not significantly affected. The effects of MR6 and MR10 were generally similar to the effects associated with conventional polymer modification of asphalt binders and asphalt mixtures, particularly those effects associated with plastomeric polymers.


1994 ◽  
Vol 67 (3) ◽  
pp. 447-480 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. H. Lewandowski

Abstract • Polymer modification of asphalt binders has become a more accepted method for addressing pavement distresses. The heavier vehicle loads, higher traffic volumes and increased tire pressures have forced user agencies to explore polymer modification for asphalt pavement applications. • The compatibility between the asphalt and polymer depends on many factors. The most significant of these, based on microscopy, are the asphalt crude source, polymer microstructure and the thermal/mechanical history of the polymer-modified asphalt binder. • Classical methods and methods derived specifically for measuring the effect of polymers in the asphalt have poor correlation to mixture performance. The tests also seem to be specific to the different polymers tested. The test conditions make it difficult to extract basic information about the binder's mechanical properties. • Considerable work has been done on the rheology of asphalt and polymer-modified asphalt binders over a wide range of temperatures and rates of loading. Time-temperature superposition has been used to describe the effect of rate of loading on the complex shear modulus (G*) of both polymer modified and unmodified asphalt binders. The addition of polymers has been found to dramatically change the properties at high temperatures or low rates of loading. This has been correlated with varying degrees of success to permanent deformation in the asphalt mixture. • The bending beam rheometer and the direct tension test are ideally suited for measuring the low temperature properties of polymer-modified asphalt binders. Good correlation was found with bending beam results and the fracture temperature of the mixture using the TSRST method. Failure strains, measured for polymer-modified asphalt binders with the direct tension test, were up to ten times greater than that observed for unmodified binders. Polymer-modifiers generally decreased the fracture temperature of the mixture by 6–10°C. • Polymer modifiers for asphalt binders which contain a large percentage of butadiene (50% or greater), exhibit improved low temperature properties. This was observed as a decreased Tg for a polybutadiene modified asphalt measured using dynamic mechanical analysis. Also direct tension results for SB (50% butadiene) -modified asphalt binders showed a marked increase in low temperature failure strains. • The performance-based specifications (SHRP) show good correlation with mixture performance. The best correlations were observed between the binder's Theological properties and the load-associated fatigue and low-temperature thermal cracking resistance. For permanent deformation, it was observed that the aggregate plays a significant role in the resulting rutting. Further testing and field studies are required to validate these laboratory measurements. • Asphalt-rubber mixtures have been shown to have useful properties with respect to distresses observed in asphalt concrete pavements. Most notably a large increase in viscosity and improved low-temperature cracking resistance have been measured. Only a limited body of test results exists and further testing is required to fully understand the contribution of asphalt-rubber to the mixture's performance.


Author(s):  
Osama A. Abaza ◽  
Daniel Dahms

Studded tire wear is one of the most important contributing factors that govern pavement life on high traffic volume roads in south-central Alaska. It has been estimated that the annual cost to repair damage caused by studded tires in Alaska is approximately $13.7 million. Polymer modified asphalt binders and hard aggregate are commonly used in mix designs in the State of Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities projects in an attempt to resist studded tire wear. This research provides a field performance-based analysis of the use of hard aggregate and polymer modified binders related to the reduction of the impact of studded tire wear. To analyze the performance of modification in asphalt mix designs, roadway data was gathered from the Alaska Department of Transportation Pavement Management System Database and roads were grouped into deterioration families based on mix design properties. Relationships of each deterioration are presented to show cumulative average annual daily traffic versus total rut depth, comparing mix designs with and without hard aggregate and polymer modification. Findings indicated that both polymer modification and hard aggregate can be used to reduce the impact of studded tire wear. The benefits of polymer modification and hard aggregate proved more significant as cumulative traffic volumes increase. Recommendations from the performance analysis included continuing the use of hard aggregate and polymer modified binders on Alaskan roadways with continuous research on the use of more highly modified asphalt binders to further reduce the impact of studded tire wear.


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