Interaction effects of crumb rubber modified asphalt binders

The application of crumb rubber in asphalt mixtures is intended to improve the binder properties by reducing the binder’s inherent temperature susceptibility. This research investigated the interaction effects of CRM binders as a function of various blending treatments in the laboratory. For this study, CRM binders were produced using seven blending times (5, 30, 60, 90, 120, 240, and 480 min), three blending temperatures (177, 200, and 223 °C), and four rubber contents (5%, 10%, 15%, and 20% by weight of asphalt binder). The results from this study showed that (1) The interaction time and interaction temperature for CRM binders were observed to have significant effect on the binder properties; (2) The longer time and higher temperature for interaction of CRM binders resulted in an increase in the high failure temperature and the viscosity. This is thought to be due to the increase in the rubber mass through binder absorption. However, this study found that the control binder of PG 64-22 had little change of the binder properties as a function of interaction conditions; (3) The CRM percentage influence is statistically significant on the viscosity and G^*/sin δ values. Also, the asphalt binder with higher CRM percentage showed a higher large molecular size (LMS) value, and the increase in CRM percentage is considered to result in the additional loss of the low molecular weight in the asphalt binder to the CRM.     

Effect of crumb rubber characteristics on crumb rubber modified (CRM) binder viscosity

Asphalt binder viscosity is of great importance during the production process of hot mix asphalt mixture as typically asphalt plants will store binders between 149 °C and 177 °C. SHRP guidelines state that asphalt binder viscosity must not exceed 3 Pa s. Therefore, given the documented increases in asphalt viscosity when modified with crumb rubber modifier (CRM) it is necessary to produce asphalt binder that fulfills the SHRP criteria while not exceeding plant mixing and storing requirements. This paper reports the results of an investigation of the importance of CRM properties on viscosity of CRM binder. Two binder sources were modified at four concentration levels using four different crumb rubber sources; the viscosities of the produced binders were evaluated by AASHTO T 316. Crumb rubber properties were evaluated by elemental analysis using a scanning electron microscope (SEM) and by determination of glass transition temperature (T_g) using a differential scanning calorimeter (DSC). In general, results indicate that processing procedure and tire type plays an important role in the determination of CRM binder viscosity.     

Preparation and rheological characterization of asphalt binders reinforced with layered silicate nanoparticles

Bentonite clay (BT) and organically modified bentonite (OBT) were used to reinforce and modify a bituminous paving asphalt binder. The modified asphalt binders were produced by melt processing under sonication and shearing stresses. The interlayer spacing of silicate layers in bentonite, organically modified bentonite and the modified asphalt binders were analyzed by wide angle X-ray diffraction (WAXD). The softening point, viscosity and ductility of the modified asphalts were tested as a function of clay content and clay type. The dynamic shear rheological tests showed that the modified asphalts have higher rutting resistance. Bending beam rheometer (BBR) test results for aged specimens (through rolling thin film oven (RTFO) and pressure aging vessel (PAV)) indicated that adding BT and OBT can significantly improve low temperature rheological properties and cracking of asphalt.     

High temperature properties of wax modified binders and asphalt mixtures

The influence of adding two commercial waxes (FT-paraffin and polyethylene wax) to binders of penetration grades 50/70 and 160/220 were investigated for high temperature performance of binders and asphalt concrete mixtures. Binder properties were determined by conventional test methods, dynamic mechanical analysis and bending beam rheometer testing. The high temperature properties of asphalt concrete were investigated using the French rutting tester.The addition of FT-paraffin and polyethylene wax increased the rutting resistance of mixtures for both types of binder. The FT-paraffin modified asphalt mixtures showed the best rutting resistance.Adding polyethylene wax showed the highest stiffening effect in terms of rutting factor by DMA for the binders. However, this could not be verified in asphalt mixture testing. Adding FT-paraffin improved the rutting resistance of asphalt mixtures containing low or high penetration binder, but for the mixture containing high penetration binder the specification limit was exceeded.     

High temperature properties of rubberized binders containing warm asphalt additives

Several studies have been conducted evaluating the properties of warm mix asphalt (WMA), and it is observed that warm asphalt additives work in different ways to either reduce the viscosity of the binder or to allow better workability of the mix at lower temperatures. In terms of rubberized asphalt mixtures, they are compacted at a higher temperature than conventional mixtures, based on the field experience. If the technologies of warm mix asphalt are incorporated, it is expected to reduce the mixing and compaction temperatures of rubberized asphalt mixtures to those of conventional mixtures. This paper presents the high temperature properties of rubberized binders containing warm asphalt additives. Rubberized binders were produced at 10% by binder weight using five binder sources, and the binders with the additives were produced using two (i.e. Aspha-min^® and Sasobit^®) of the available processes and artificially short-term aged through the rolling thin film oven (RTFO) method. Tests were conducted on the binders using the rotational viscometer and the Dynamic Shear Rheometer. The results indicated that the viscosity properties of rubberized binders can be changed significantly through the use of warm asphalt additives. Also, the addition of the additives was found to improve rutting resistance of the rubberized binders.     

Influence of surface area and size of crumb rubber on high temperature properties of crumb rubber modified binders

There are many variables of crumb rubber modifier (CRM) and asphalt binder, affecting the interaction of the CRM with the binder when crumb rubber modified binder (CRM binder) is produced. In this study, the influence of the surface area of CRM blends on the high temperature properties, i.e., the complex modulus (G¹), the phase angle and high temperature grade of the CRM binders was investigated. To this end, the surface areas of CRM particles were measured using the BET (Brunauer, Emmett and Teller) tester, while weighted average particle size of CRM blends was calculated based on their graduations and then used as a size index. High temperature properties of CRM binders were measured using Dynamic Shear Rheometer (DSR) test. A total of 108 CRM binders were produced using different combinations of these variables. Results observed from this study indicated: (1) the surface area of the ambient CRM was twice as large as that of the cryogenic one, leading to a much higher G¹ and phase angle of the CRM binders; (2) the phase angle and G¹ were affected by both the surface area and average size; however, the average size is the predominating factor; and (3) ambient CRM binders were produced about 3 °C in high temperature grade higher than cryogenic CRM binders.     

Properties of Portland cement-modified asphalt binder using Superpave tests

This study investigates the effect of cement additive on some properties of asphalt binder using Superpave testing methods. Six cement-to-asphalt (C/A) ratios were considered in the study: 0.05, 0.10, 0.15, 0.20, 0.25 and 0.30 by volume of asphalt binder. The experimental tests that were conducted in the study included the Superpave rotational viscosity (RV) test and the dynamic shear rheometer (DSR) test. The RV test was conducted at the Superpave-specified high temperature of 135 °C that represents the average mixing and laydown temperature, and at seven different rotational speeds of 5, 10, 20, 30, 50, 60, and 100 rpm. On the other hand, the DSR test was conducted at four test temperatures of 58, 64, 70, and 76 °C; one lower and two higher than the Superpave high performance grade (PG) temperature of the asphalt binder used in the study (PG 64). The loading frequency used in the DSR test was 10 rad/s (1.59 Hz) as specified by the Superpave system. Results of the study showed that the addition of Portland cement to asphalt binders increased the rotational viscosity (RV) of asphalt binders at 135 °C and different rotational speeds. The C/A ratio of 0.15 was found to be the optimum ratio that achieved a balanced increase in the rotational viscosity and the value of the DSR G^*/sin δ rutting parameter of asphalt binders. The C/A ratio had insignificant effects on the Newtonian behavior, the phase angle (δ), and the elastic behavior of asphalt binders. The increase in C/A ratio increased the stiffness of asphalt binders represented by the complex shear modulus (G^*) value. The increase in the C/A ratio improved the rutting parameter, G^*/sin δ value, at all temperatures. The increase in C/A ratio improved the Superpave high PG temperature (the high temperature at which the asphalt binder passed the Superpave criteria for G^*/sin δ value). It was also shown that the best function that described the relationship between each of RV, G^*, and G^*/sin δ and the C/A ratio was the exponential function with high coefficient of determination (R²).     

Aging analysis of rubberized asphalt binders and mixes using gel permeation chromatography

This study was initiated to investigate the aging characteristics of binders due to the reaction with the crumb rubber. For this laboratory study, the crumb rubber modified (CRM) and control binders were aged using an oven aging method. Also, asphalt mixtures with CRM or control binders were made and subjected to short-term and long-term aging treatments. The properties of these aged binders were evaluated using gel permeation chromatography (GPC) test procedures. The results from this study showed that: (1) the higher CRM percentage resulted in the higher large molecular size (LMS) value of asphalt binder under the binder aging conditions, and the rate of increase in the LMS value was found to have a relation to the CRM percentage. The asphalt binders with higher CRM percentages (15% and 20%) had a trend the LMS values decrease after a certain level. This finding is thought to be related to the required time for the rubber to be fully digested; (2) after subjecting to the long-term oven aging, the asphalt mixtures with the control and CRM modified binders were found to have statistically insignificant differences in aging level, measured using the LMS values. The very thin film thickness of binder in asphalt mixture and the aging temperature of 100 °C insufficient to enable a reaction were considered to be the main reasons that no differences were observed from the standpoint of the aging effect.     

无缝伸缩缝沥青胶结料高温性能指标区分评价

为优选无缝伸缩缝沥青胶结料类型,提高无缝伸缩缝弹塑体高温稳定性,对选用的3种无缝伸缩缝沥青胶结料分别开展沥青基本性能试验、动态剪切温度扫描试验和多应力蠕变恢复试验,采用软化点、车辙因子与相位角,以及蠕变恢复率和不可恢复蠕变柔度等指标来评价3种无缝伸缩缝沥青胶结料的高温性能,并进行一致性和区分度分析,最后结合沥青混合料车...     

Modeling viscosity behavior of crumb rubber modified binders

Accurately predicting the viscous properties of crumb rubber modified (CRM) binders has proven difficult, especially as these properties tend to vary with changing crumb rubber concentrations and temperatures. This study explores the utilization of the statistical regression and neural network (NN) approaches in predicting the viscosity values of CRM binder at various temperatures (135 °C and greater). A total of 53 CRM binder combinations were prepared from two different rubber types (ambient and cryogenic), three different binder sources, four rubber concentrations (0%, 5%, 10%, and 15%), and five crumb rubber gradations (ADOT, SCDOT, 0.18 mm, 0.425 mm, and 0.85 mm). The results indicated that the regression model is easy to use and can be used for viscosity prediction, similarly NN-based models also provided accurate for predictions for the viscosity values of CRM binders regardless of rubber type and can easily be implemented in a spreadsheet. In addition, the developed NN model can be used to predict viscosity values of other types of CRM binders efficiently. Furthermore, the sensitivity analysis of input variables indicated that the changes of viscosity are significant as the changes of asphalt binder grade, test temperature, and rubber content. The results also show that these three independent variables are the most important factors in the developed NN models in comparison with other variables.     

Determination of zero shear viscosity of warm asphalt binders

With the increasing awareness of the warm asphalt technology, it is imperative to study the properties of the binders containing the warm asphalt additives thoroughly, especially since not much research has been conducted on warm asphalt binder properties to date. Also, in the recent years, researchers have observed that the SHRP rutting parameter G¹/sin δ is not very effective in predicting the rutting performance of binders, especially in case of modified binders. Zero shear viscosity (ZSV) has been evaluated to determine its effectiveness in predicting the rutting behavior of asphalt binders. Thus, in this paper, the ZSV of five asphalt binders with and without the warm asphalt additives, Asphamin^® and Sasobit^®, were calculated using the different models and test methods available in literature. From the test results, it was observed that the addition of the warm asphalt additives increased the ZSV of all the five binders used in this study. It was also observed that the different test methods gave different ZSV values, and that the selection of the test methods and the testing parameters are crucial parameters.     

Using two-way ANOVA and hypothesis test in evaluating crumb rubber modification (CRM) agitation effects on rheological properties of bitumen

The effect of CRM aspects on rheological properties of asphalt binder such as improvement in the performance grade (PG) for low, intermediate, and high service temperatures are evaluated and the binder’s dynamic viscosity changes were studied in this research. Enhancement also resulted in the binder’s fatigue and rutting indices. At the same time, the effects of low/high shear blending conditions on the rheological properties were investigated. The effect of interactions between blending conditions and modifier content were studied by utilizing the analysis of variance (ANOVA) method and hypothesis tests.     

Effects of aging on the properties of modified asphalt binder with flame retardants

Effects of aging on the properties of asphalt binders modified by incorporating Styrene–Butadiene–Styrene (SBS) and flame retardants (FR) were studied. Asphalt binders were artificially aged in the rolling thin film oven (RTFOT) and Pressure Aging Vessel (PAV). The flame retardancy of modified asphalt binders were characterized using limited oxygen index (LOI), and the effects of aging on the properties of asphalt binders were studied using Brookfield viscometer test and dynamic shear rheometer test. Experimental results indicated that the flame retardancy of asphalt binder was increased after aging. But the increasing amount of LOI is low when the modified asphalt binder containing more flame retardants. The variation of the LOI, softening point, penetration, ductility and viscosity of asphalt binder decreased with flame retardant content increasing, meaning the flame retardants can improve the thermo-oxidative aging resistance of asphalt binder. Furthermore, the G^*/sin δ, stiffness and m-value of flame retardant modified asphalt binders display smaller changes after two different aging.     

Effect of different high viscosity modifiers on rheological properties of high viscosity asphalt

High viscosity asphalt (HVA) has been a great success as a drainage pavement material. However, the larger porosity of drainage asphalt mixtures weakens the cohesion and adhesion and leads to premature rutting, water damage, spalling and cracking. The purpose of this study was to investigate the rheological properties of HVA prepared using different high viscosity modifiers through conventional tests, Brookfield viscosity tests, dynamic shear rheometer tests and bending beam rheometer tests. The conventional performance results demonstrated SBS + rubber asphalt (SRA-1/2) exhibited excellent elastic recovery and low-temperature flexibility. The 60°C dynamic viscosity results indicated TPS + rubber asphalt (TRA) had the excellent adhesion. The rotational viscosity results and rheological results indicated that SRA-2 not only exhibited excellent temperature stability and workability, as well as excellent resistance to deformation and rutting resistance, but also exhibited excellent low-temperature cracking resistance and relaxation performance. Based on rheological results, the PG classification of HVA was 16% rubber + asphalt for PG76-22, 20% rubber + asphalt for PG88-22, TRA and SRA-1/2 for PG88-28. From comprehensive evaluation of the viscosity, temperature stability and sensitivity, as well as high/low temperature performance of HVA, SRA-2 was found to be more suited to the requirements of drainage asphalt pavement materials.     

Performance based binder type selection using mixed integer programming technique

The rationale behind an asphalt mix design is optimizing the binder content for the desired aggregate gradation to satisfy the specified volumetric and strength requirements. The designed asphalt mix should be durable and cost effective. The mechanical behavior of a designed asphalt mix is affected by the traffic loading and climatic variations. To improve the mechanical properties of asphalt mixes, additives are added to the base asphalt binder. These binders are called modified asphalt binders. The objectives of the present study are to compare the performance of asphalt mixes with different binders by two different mix design methods and to optimize the asphalt binder type to achieve the desired performance. Two methods of mix design namely, Marshall and Superpave mix design methods are considered. The performances of asphalt mixes viz., tensile strength, moisture damage, densification and rutting resistance were compared. The results indicated a statistically significant difference in the optimum asphalt binder content from the two mix design methods. The Marshall method of asphalt mix design is found to yield lower optimal asphalt binder content when compared to the Superpave method of mix design. The moisture susceptibility and construction densification index of asphalt mixes designed using Superpave method were found to be significantly lower than that of the mixes designed by Marshall method. Optimization using a Mixed Integer Linear Program (MILP) indicated that the polymer modified asphalt binder outperforms the requirements of engineering properties when compared to other commercial binders used in the study.     

Nanoclay-modified asphalt materials: Preparation and characterization

The objective of this study is to review existing literature in the area of nano-modification of asphalt and proceed to apply nano-materials to asphalt to improve the performance. This study integrates literature review, preparation, and characterization of nano-modified asphalt materials. In the experimental testing montmorillonite, nanoclay at 2% and 4% by weight of asphalt was blended in asphalt binder at a high temperature to exfoliate the nanoclay within the asphalt. The asphalt binder was then characterized using the Superpave? rotational viscosity, dynamic shear modulus, and direct tension test. The rotational viscosity results indicate that the addition of the two types of nanoclay, Nanoclay A and Nanoclay B, increased the rotational viscosity by an average of 41% and 112%, respectively, across test temperatures 80, 100, 130, 135, 150 and 175 °C. It was found that the dynamic shear complex modulus (G*) value increases significantly across a range of testing temperatures (from 13 to 70 °C) and loading frequencies (0.01–25 Hz). With 2% Nanoclay A reinforcement in the asphalt binder, the complex shear moduli generally increased by 66% while the 4% Nanoclay A reinforcement in the asphalt binder generally increased the shear complex moduli by 125%. The 2% and 4% Nanoclay B increased the shear complex moduli by 184% and 196%, respectively. In terms of direct tension strength, the use of Nanoclay A and Nanoclay B reduced the strain failure rate of the original binder while the secant or direct tension moduli showed increase with the addition of the nanoclays. In furtherance of this research, nanoclay-modified asphalt is being tested at percentages higher than 4% to underscore the fact that nanoclays may have the potential to reduce rutting and cracking.     

高黏改性沥青高温黏弹特性指标区分度分析

为得到能准确区分高黏改性沥青高温性能的评价指标,分别对3种高黏改性沥青(高黏改性剂掺量均为12%)及基质沥青进行滞后环、动态剪切流变(DSR)和软化点等试验,并采用沥青混合料车辙试验进行了验证,基于沥青混合料试验结果对3种高黏改性沥青的高温性能评价指标作了一致性和区分度分析.结果表明:3种高黏改性剂的掺入均可提高基质沥青的黏弹特性和高温性能,但改性效果不同;不同高温评价指标基本能对3种高黏改性沥青的高温性能做出一致性评价,但区分能力不同,其中滞后环试验技术指标和Carreau模型拟合的零剪切黏度(ZSV)值区分度和评价效果最好,而车辙因子和软化点较差.     

Evaluating permanent deformation in asphalt rubber mixtures

Permanent deformation or rutting, one of the most important distresses in flexible pavements, has long been a problem in asphalt mixtures, mainly in countries with high temperatures such as Brazil. Throughout the years, researchers have used different test methods to estimate the rutting performance of asphalt mixtures. One of the alternatives to reduce permanent deformation in asphalt pavement layers is through the use of mixtures produced with asphalt rubber. Crumb rubber from waste tires introduced into the asphalt is one of suitable application to dispose the tires and used as an additive to enhance the properties of the conventional asphalts. This work aims at comparing the rutting performance of asphalt rubber mixtures (with dense and gap-graded aggregate gradation) with the conventional dense graded mixture most used in Brazil. The asphalt rubber mixtures were produced by the wet process using continuous blend and terminal blend asphalt rubber. To study their performance, two laboratory tests, the Repeated Simple Shear Test at Constant Height (RSST-CH) and the Accelerated Pavement Testing Simulator Test (wheel tracking) were carried out. The testing results confirmed that the use of asphalt rubber binder improves significantly the resistance to rutting. The highest resistance is presented by the mixtures produced with continuous blend binders and gap-graded aggregate gradation. The results of both testing apparatus can be correlated by a linear relationship. The testing results allowed concluding that the characteristics of the asphalt rubber binders cannot be used to predict the permanent deformation resistance of the asphalt rubber mixtures.     

Estimating correlations between rheological and engineering properties of rubberized asphalt concrete mixtures containing warm mix asphalt additive

In recent years, warm mix asphalt (WMA) is widely used for reducing energy requirements and emissions in hot mix asphalt (HMA) industry. In addition, the use of rubberized asphalt in the past has proven to be economical, environmentally sound and effective in improving the performance of pavements across the US and the world. The objective of this research was to investigate the mixture performance characteristics of rubberized warm asphalt mixtures, and their correlation with binder properties, through a series of laboratory tests (e.g., viscosity, dynamic shear rheometer (DSR), and bending beam rheometer (BBR)) conducted on the binders, and obtaining the indirect tensile strength, rutting resistance, and resilient modulus of various mixtures. The results of the experiments indicated that the use of crumb rubber and WMA additive in HMA can effectively improve the engineering properties of these mixes at lower mixing and compacting temperatures and some statistical correlations between rheological and/or engineering properties were developed successfully.     

Effect of crumb rubber modifiers on high temperature susceptibility of wearing course mixtures

This paper investigates the effects of different sizes of crumb rubber modifier (CRM) on the high temperature susceptibility of three gradations (AC-10, AC-20 and PA) of wearing course mixtures. A wet process and 10% CRM by total weight of binders were used in these studies and the control variables for these studies included three CRMs of sizes 0.15 mm, 0.30 mm and 0.60 mm. The evaluations were twofold. Firstly, a comparison of the properties of those modified and unmodified binders at a wide range of testing temperatures and ageing conditions was conducted. Secondary, a comparison of the rutting resistance of the CRM and conventional mixtures was made. The results show that all the CRMs have overall contributed to better performance of both binders and mixtures at high temperatures. In addition, among these three CRM sizes, mixtures modified with 0.15 mm CRM exhibited the best effect on the dense-graded mixture (AC-10 and AC-20) whereas mixtures modified with 0.60 mm CRM exhibited the best effect on the open-graded mixture of porous asphalt (PA).