Analysis of styrene-butadiene-styrene polymer modified bitumen using fluorescent microscopy and conventional test methods

This paper presents a laboratory study of modified bitumen containing styrene-butadiene-styrene (SBS) copolymer. Polymer modified bitumen (PMB) samples have been produced by mixing a 50/70 penetration grade unmodified (base) bitumen with SBS Kraton D1101 copolymer at five different polymer contents. The fundamental characteristics of the SBS PMB samples have been determined using conventional methods. The morphology of the samples as well as the percent area (%) distribution of SBS polymers throughout the base bitumen have been characterized and determined by means of fluorescence microscopy and Qwin Plus image analysis program, respectively. The mechanical properties of the hot-mix asphalt (HMA) containing SBS PMBs have also been analyzed and compared with HMA incorporating base bitumen. The effect of polymer addition on the short and long term aging characteristics of HMA have been evaluated by indirect tensile strength (ITS) test. The results indicated that polymer modification improved the conventional properties (penetration, softening point, etc.) and the mechanical properties (Marshall, ITS, etc.) of the base bitumen. It was also concluded that at low polymer contents, the samples revealed the existence of dispersed polymer particles in a continuous bitumen phase, whereas at high polymer contents a continuous polymer phase has been observed. Moreover, it was found out that the polymer addition minimizes the short and long term aging of HMA.     

两种沥青胶浆的疲劳及自愈合性能试验

为了研究沥青胶浆的疲劳及自愈合特性,利用动态剪切流变仪（DSR）进行时间扫描及疲劳-愈合-再疲劳测试,并通过原子力显微镜（AFM）对细观结构进行观测,比较分析了不同粉胶比下基质沥青胶浆和苯乙烯-丁二烯-苯乙烯嵌段共聚物（SBS）改性沥青胶浆的疲劳性能,以及在常温（25℃）下3个不同间歇期的自愈合性能。试验发现：SBS沥青胶浆具有更好的疲劳和自愈合性能,两种沥青胶浆疲劳寿命均随粉胶比的增大而增加,同一粉胶比条件下,更长的间歇期有利于其自愈合,过大或者过小的粉胶比都会降低沥青胶浆的自愈合性能;AFM观测结果表明：基质沥青胶浆出现明显的"蜂状结构",粉胶比增加,矿粉吸附更多的沥青质,"蜂状结构"变多,与沥青界面内聚力作用增强,提高了抗疲劳性能,SBS改性剂与沥青相容性良好,改性沥青胶浆没有出现"蜂状结构",改性剂的加入增强了分子间内聚力,有助于提高抗疲劳性能,因此建议路面材料选用改性沥青胶浆。     

Fatigue and healing performance assessment of asphalt binder from rheological and chemical characteristics

The fatigue and healing performance of asphalt binder affect the durability of asphalt concrete and by extension, asphalt pavements. The objectives of this paper are to (1) estimate the fatigue and healing characteristics of asphalt binder by newly developed linear amplitude sweep (LAS) and LAS-based Healing (LASH) protocols, and (2) investigate the relationship between chemical composition of asphalt and engineering performance. Three neat asphalt binders (Pen-30, Pen-50 and Pen-70) and one SBS modified binder are selected for this study. Experimental results indicate that the SBS binder has advanced fatigue resistance among all tested binders and the softer neat binder with a higher penetration grade generally displays better fatigue performance. The fatigue failure occurrence is a significant threshold for healing potential comparison. The rate of healing (H^R) results suggest that the best healing potential is with Pen-70 binder in pre-failure conditions followed by the SBS binder, Pen-50 and Pen-30 binders. However, the SBS binder presents better healing performance than Pen-70 binder in post-failure condition. Further solvency fractionation, into saturates, aromatics, resins and asphaltenes, indicates that the asphaltene content is negatively proportional to the quantified binder fatigue life whereas the H^R index is found to be well correlated to the weight percents of saturates and ratio of saturates to aromatics (S/Ar). The combined use of LAS and LASH tests is recommended for effectively distinguishing and designing the fatigue-healing performance of neat and modified asphalt binders. Limiting the contents of asphaltenes would be of help to improve the binder fatigue resistance and either saturates percent or S/Ar parameter should be considered to assure the self-healing potential of asphalt binder.     

The low temperature properties of conventional and modified asphalt binders evaluated by the failure energy and secant modulus from direct tension tests

In our previous direct tension test (DTT) studies, SBS polymer modification was found to increase the failure stress values with increasing polymer levels. The predicted critical cracking temperatures (T_critical) in Superpave MP la specification were found to be 3 to 6°C lower than the bending beam rheometer (BBR) low temperature parameter according to Superpave MP1 specification. In this study, the DTT results were analyzed and compared in terms of the DTT failure energy and secant modulus instead of failure stress or failure strain values. As expected, the DTT secant modulus was found to increase with increasing hardness of the non-modified asphalt binder materials; however, the secant modulus decreases upon Styrene Butadiene Styrene (SBS) polymer modification. If the secant modulus were used to evaluate the stiffness of asphalt binder materials at low temperature, the SBS modified asphalt binders would not only have better low-temperature properties than predicted by the BBR low-temperature parameter in Superpave MP1 but also better than predicted by the T_critical in Superpave MP1a specification. The failure energy of SBS modified asphalt binder at T_critical was found to be invariably higher than the T_critical failure energy of non-modified asphalt binders, even though the T_critical of PMA was already 3–6°C lower than the T_critical of the non-modified asphalt binder. The elastic polymer network in the PMA probably contributes to higher DTT failure stress, failure strain and failure energy values.     

沥青砂浆多次损伤自愈合性能

沥青砂浆由沥青、细骨料及填料三部分组成,对沥青混合料的性能具有重要影响。为对比分析自愈温度、自愈时间、老化程度及损伤程度对两种沥青砂浆愈合性能的影响,采用四因素三水平正交试验方法设计沥青砂浆小梁弯曲损伤愈合试验,选出最显著影响因素,进行多次间歇期的损伤自愈合试验。利用J积分理论对沥青砂浆的愈合程度进行价评,将断裂韧性J_c作为沥青砂浆损伤愈合的评价指标。试验结果表明：断裂韧性J_c能够表征沥青砂浆内部能量释放过程,可以很好的评价沥青砂浆的愈合能力;老化程度是影响沥青砂浆愈合性能的主要因素,与基质沥青砂浆相比,苯乙烯-丁二烯-苯乙烯（SBS）改性沥青砂浆在多次损伤自愈合后的愈合性能更好;随着损伤次数的增大两种沥青砂浆的愈合度都显著下降。试验结果可为沥青混合料性能研究及路面养护提供参考依据。     

Evaluation and optimization of the engineering properties of polymer-modified asphalt

Polymers are increasingly being used to modify asphalt and enhance highway pavement performance. This paper reports the development of a procedure to evaluate and optimize a polymer-modified asphalt (PMA). Two asphalt cements and two styrene-butadiene-styrene (SBS) copolymers were mixed at ten concentration levels. The engineering properties and morphologies of the binders were investigated using a dynamic shear rheometer, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and other rheological techniques. The morphology of the PMA was characterized by the SBS concentration and the microstructure of the copolymer. Polymer modification increased the elastic responses and dynamic moduli of asphalt binders. As the SBS concentration increased, the copolymer gradually became the dominant phase, accompanied by a change in engineering properties. Results from SEM demonstrated that, up to 6% concentration, good compatibility exists between SBS and asphalt binder. The modified binders show either a continuous asphalt phase with dispersed SBS particles or a continuous polymer phase with dispersed asphalt globules, or two interlocked continuous phases. The optimum SBS content was determined based on the formation of a critical network between asphalt and polymer.     

沥青胶结料自愈合研究进展

沥青自愈合是提高沥青路面使用寿命的有效手段之一,文章综合分析了近年来国内外沥青胶结料自愈合机理、实验方法、评价指标和自愈合技术等方面的研究,并指出现有机理模型难以解释温度、间歇时间和老化对沥青胶结料自愈合行为的影响,缺少科学有效的自愈合行为评价方法与指标,使得自愈合技术难以在工程中推广应用。建议综合现有自愈合机理宏微观模型理论,建立多尺度模型解释沥青胶结料的自愈合行为,提出具有普适性的实验方法和评价沥青胶结料自愈合行为的指标,并指出开发新型沥青自愈合增强剂是未来研究的热点。     

Dynamic mechanical characterization of asphalt concrete mixes with modified asphalt binders

The primary objective of this work is to characterize and compare the dynamic mechanical behavior of asphalt concrete mixes with styrene butadiene styrene (SBS) polymer and crumb rubber modified asphalt binders with the behavior of mixes with unmodified viscosity grade asphalt binders. Asphalt binders are characterized for their physical and rheological properties. Simple performance tests like dynamic modulus, dynamic and static creep tests are carried out at varying temperatures and time. Dynamic modulus master curves constructed using numerical optimization technique is used to explain the time and temperature dependency of modified and unmodified asphalt binder mixes. Creep parameters estimated through regression analysis explained the permanent deformation characteristics of asphalt concrete mixes. From the dynamic mechanical characterization studies, it is found that asphalt concrete mixes with SBS polymer modified asphalt binder showed significantly higher values of dynamic modulus and reduced rate of deformation at higher temperatures when compared to asphalt concrete mixes with crumb rubber and unmodified asphalt binders. From the concept of energy dissipation, it is found that SBS polymer modification substantially reduces the energy loss at higher temperatures. Multi-factorial analysis of variance carried out using generalized liner model showed that temperature, frequency and asphalt binder type significant influences the mechanical response of asphalt concrete mixes. The mechanical response of SBS polymer modified asphalt binders are significantly correlated with the rutting resistance of asphalt concrete mixes.     

Experimental investigation on preparation and performance of clear asphalt

Abstract

Coloured micro-surfacing technology has become increasingly popular in pavement construction because of its economic benefit and ability to accept traffic quickly. The main goal of this study was to produce a clear asphalt with superior performance that can be easily emulsified. Two types of resin that are easy to emulsify and one kind of extract oil were used to synthesise the clear asphalt. The clear asphalt was mixed with a styrene butadiene styrene (SBS) modifier at different proportions using a mechanical agitator. The physical properties of the samples were determined via conventional bitumen tests and the optimum formula was obtained by changing the mixture ratio through orthogonal experimentation. The thin-film oven test evaluated the ageing property of the clear asphalt. The surface energy components corresponding to the advancing process and the receding process were determined using the Wilhelmy plate method. The surface free energy (SFE) of the aggregates was measured with a gravimetric sorption analyser. The adhesive bond energies between asphalt samples and aggregates were calculated using their SFE components to evaluate their properties of fracture and healing. Results show that depending on the amount and type of resin added, different synthetic clear asphalts can be obtained. Further, the clear asphalt mixed with SBS is capable of synthesising better properties at high or low temperature. The clear asphalt with aggregates had fracture and healing properties similar to common base asphalt.     

Effects of recycled asphalt pavements on the fatigue life of asphalt under different strain levels and loading frequencies

Fatigue lives of Hot Mix Asphalt (HMA) and binder have been studied separately for a long time. However, fatigue lives of HMA containing Recycled Asphalt Pavement (RAP) and the binder extracted from the same HMA containing RAP have not been studied yet. This study examines the effects of RAP, loading frequency and strain level on the fatigue lives of asphalt mixtures and binders. In addition, the relationship between the fatigue lives of asphalt mixture and binder is determined. Beam fatigue tests were conducted to determine the fatigue behaviors of two asphalt mixtures: one with 35% RAP and the other without RAP. To evaluate binder’s fatigue behavior, binders were extracted and recovered from these two mixtures. Then, fatigue lives of these two binders were determined using time sweep and Linear Amplitude Sweep (LAS) tests. Results show that presence of RAP in mixture causes a decrease in the mixture’s fatigue life, whereas it causes an increase in the fatigue life of binder. As expected, an increase in loading frequency results in an increase in the fatigue lives of asphalt mixture as well as binder. In addition, increase in strain level causes a decrease in the fatigue lives of both mixtures and binders. Fatigue lives of binders from time sweep and LAS tests show a good correlation with the mixture’s fatigue life by the beam fatigue test.     

Polymer modified bitumen: Optimization and selection

Polymer modification of bitumen has been commonly performed since the 1980s in order to decrease bitumen (and pavement) susceptibility to high and low temperatures, allowing reduction in common failure mechanisms as rutting and cracking. Bitumen modification has been commonly performed by addition of thermoplastic or elastomeric polymers. However, there are just a few studies on bitumen blends using multiple materials, seeking for specific advantages provided by addition of these modifiers. This work describes the results obtained after the preparation of multicomponent polymer-bitumen blends (MC) based on an 80/100 penetration grade bitumen with varying amounts of (i) Polyethylene wax (PW); (ii) Styrene–Butadiene–Styrene copolymer (SBS); and (iii) crumb rubber (CR). Ideal blends depending on the amount of polymer modifiers added were found by using an experimental design procedure. It was possible to propose charts allowing optimizing and selecting appropriate polymer modified bitumens (PMB) depending on target properties for a given application by following Ashby’s materials selection methodology.     

多聚磷酸及多聚磷酸-SBS改性沥青低温性能

基于弯曲流变试验(BBR)并结合DSC试验测得的玻璃化转移温度,对不同掺量的多聚磷酸(PPA)改性沥青和乙烯-丁二烯-苯乙烯嵌段共聚物(SBS)-PPA复合改性沥青的低温性能进行了研究。用单因素方差法分析了不同温度下,PPA掺量对沥青低温性能的影响。利用荧光显微镜观察并分析了SBS-PPA复合改性沥青的相态结构特征。结果表明:PPA的加入对基质及复合改性沥青的低温性能有所提高,且随着PPA掺量的增加,对低温抗裂性能的改善越好,但随着温度的降低,低温改善效果逐渐减小。不同温度下,PPA对基质沥青低温性能的影响程度不同,在-18~-12℃时,对基质沥青低温性能的改善较显著,而在-30~-24℃时,对基质沥青低温性能的改善不显著;对于SBS-PPA改性沥青,不同温度下,PPA对其低温性能的改善均不显著。SBS-PPA改性沥青的低温抗裂性能优于PPA改性沥青,PPA的添加可以有效促使SBS分散为细小颗粒,并在沥青中的分布变得更加均匀,使SBS改性沥青的储存稳定性和空间网状结构得到有效改善。     

Investigation into three-layered HMA mixtures

Hot-mix asphalt (HMA) mixtures consist of three phases: aggregate, asphalt binder (mastic) and air voids, of which the first two (aggregate and asphalt binder) provide the structure that withstands various kinds of loading.

Due to the nature of high inhomogeneity between aggregate and asphalt binder, significant stress and strain concentration occurs at the interface between the two phases, which causes adverse effect to HMA mixtures and potentially contributes to pavement distresses/failure.

This paper presents a novel idea to mitigate the stress and strain concentration by introducing an intermediate layer between aggregate and asphalt binder in HMA mixture. Microstructural analyses of layered system indicated that the three-layered composite HMA mixture would greatly improve the performance of asphalt mixture. The composite mixture showed more than 10% reduction in internal stress and strain and consequently its performance could be potentially improved. To validate the theoretical analyses, a laboratory experiment was conducted to compare the performance of a conventional mixture to that of a conceptual three-layered composite HMA mixture, which was formed by incorporating a stiff natural asphalt (gilsonite) as the intermediate layer. The results of the limited laboratory experiment confirmed the findings from the theoretical analyses.     

Energy saving and environmental friendly wax concept for polymer modified mastic asphalt

This paper focuses on the addition of commercial wax as flow improver in polymer modified bitumen intended for use in mastic asphalt pavements under Nordic climatic conditions. Different aspects are dealt with. The aim of the project is to make mastic asphalt used in Sweden today (for bridges, parking decks etc.) more environment friendly and easier to handle. However, wax modification must not have any noticeable negative impact on the performance of mastic asphalt at medium and lower temperatures. The project involves laboratory testing of wax and polymer modified binder mixtures as well as mastic asphalt mixtures. Effects of adding two commercial waxes to one polymer modified bitumen have been studied. The results show that both waxes have a flow improving/viscosity depressant impact on the polymer modified bitumen at higher temperatures, indicating a possible lower laying temperature for the mastic asphalt if modified with such waxes. Moreover, there is a stiffening effect at medium and high temperatures (below placing temperature), indicating a certain positive effect on stability. Concerning low temperature performance, there are results indicating some negative impact on crack susceptibility at low temperatures, more by the addition of one of the waxes than by addition of the other. However, it could be concluded that using up to at least 4% of either wax additive will improve workability for the mastic asphalt product under investigation making it possible to lower working temperatures without seriously affecting its good performance in any negative way.     

Towards an optimised lab procedure for long-term oxidative ageing of asphalt mix specimen

Ageing of bitumen leads to increased stiffness and brittleness. Thus, bituminous bound pavements become more prone to failure by low-temperature and fatigue cracking. Therefore, the ageing behaviour of bitumen has a crucial impact on durability, as well as recyclability of pavements. To assess ageing of bitumen, the rolling thin film oven test and pressure ageing vessel are standardised methods for short-term and long-term ageing in the lab. For lab-ageing of hot mix asphalt (HMA), various methods have been developed in the last decades. This paper presents a study on the potential of employing a highly oxidant gas for simulating the long-term oxidative ageing of asphalt mix specimens in the lab. Based on the results, an optimised lab-ageing procedure (Viennese Ageing Procedure – VAPro) for compacted HMA specimens to assess mix performance of long-term lab-aged specimens is developed. Thus, it is possible to optimise mix design not only for short-term performance but to take into account effects of oxidative ageing during its in-service life. VAPro is based on a triaxial cell with forced flow of a gaseous oxidant agent through the specimen. The oxidant agent is enriched in ozone and nitric oxides to increase the rate of oxidation. It is shown by stiffness tests of unaged and lab-aged specimens, as well as by Dynamic Shear Rheometer tests of recovered binder from aged specimens that asphalt mixes can be long-term aged at moderate temperatures (+60°C) and within 4 days and a flow rate of 1 l/min by applying VAPro. Thus, an ageing procedure is at hand that can simulate long-term ageing at conditions that are representative of conditions that occur in the field within an efficient amount of time.     

基于数字散斑相关法的紫外老化沥青混合料界面开裂特性

利用数字图像相关技术(DSCM)针对紫外光老化的沥青混合料(HMA)半圆试件弯拉试验中裂纹产生及扩展规律从细观角度进行表征,运用Vic-3D分析软件对沥青混合料半圆试件进行全场位移、应变计算,得到试件破坏过程的位移场、应变场。结果表明:通过对紫外光照的沥青胶浆、集料及界面水平方向应变场的对比分析,发现界面为沥青混合料最薄弱处,最易产生裂纹;进一步通过水平方向应变随载荷变化曲线的变化对HMA开裂时间进行分析,可以更好地将HMA微裂缝开裂时间与宏观裂缝开裂时间加以区分,且紫外老化后的HMA试样界面开裂时间明显缩短。同时,将相同的紫外老化前后的橡胶粉(CR)改性HMA试样与苯乙烯-丁二烯-苯乙烯(SBS)改性HMA试样的位移随载荷变化规律进行对比发现,经紫外老化后的CR改性HMA比紫外老化后SBS改性HMA具有更强的抗开裂能力及持荷能力。      

考虑水-温循环的SBS改性沥青复数剪切模量预估模型

为探寻季节性冻土区多次水-温循环后沥青胶结料特征官能团变化与复数剪切模量之间的关系,联合FTIR和动态剪切流变（DSR）试验,对经0、3、6、9、12、15和18次水-温循环后的苯乙烯-丁二烯-苯乙烯嵌段共聚物（SBS）改性沥青进行测试,探明了多次水-温循环下SBS改性沥青复数剪切模量和特征官能团的变化规律;采用灰色关联熵分析理论数学模型,明确了复数剪切模量与特征官能团含量变化的关联程度;基于麦夸特法和通用全局优化算法对不同温度和频率下DSR测试的SBS改性沥青复数剪切模量G*及FTIR测试官能团变化指数进行多元统计回归分析,提出了SBS改性沥青复数剪切模量的预估模型。结果表明:多次水-温循环使沥青发生了水-温老化,但SBS改性剂对沥青水-温老化具有抑制作用;随着水-温循环次数的增加,沥青FTIR图谱中亚砜基与羰基呈现出明显的增大趋势;SBS改性沥青特征官能团变化对复数剪切模量影响程度由大到小的排序为脂肪族化物 > 非对称脂肪族化物 > 芳香族化合物 > SBS含量（苯乙烯+丁二烯） > 亚砜基 > 羰基;多次水-温循环后SBS改性沥青复数剪切模量随着特征官能团含量变化呈现出多元线性关系。      

Introducing a new specimen shape to assess the fatigue performance of asphalt mastic by dynamic shear rheometer testing

Early failure of asphalt pavements is a common issue all around the world. Damages are caused by various reasons like insufficient binder or aggregate quality, an inadequate mix design or improper handling in the production/construction process. The effects of binder, aggregates and mix design have been widely studied and state-of-the-art testing methods are available for both, hot-mix asphalt (HMA) and for each component. An important part in HMA belongs to the asphalt mastic, where no standardized method is available to allow a quality control. Asphalt mastic is the mix of bitumen with aggregates smaller than 63 (125) µm and covers the coarse aggregates as the actual binding component in the mix. This research aims at developing a testing method for asphalt mastic based on fatigue tests. The dynamic shear rheometer (DSR) was found as a suitable device for this purpose. The DSR fatigue test consists of the 8 mm parallel-plate geometry widely used for binder performance grading with a sample height of 3 mm. Instead of a cylindrical specimen shape, a hyperboloid of one sheet is applied. This shape predetermines the point of failure and prevents adhesion/interface failures between the mastic specimen and the upper or lower DSR stainless steel plate. The specimens are prepared directly in the DSR employing a silicone mould to ensure an exact specimen shape. This test can be applied to all DSR devices without costly changes or additional equipment as long as sufficient cooling capacity and torque can be provided from the DSR. This fatigue test makes it possible to assess the fatigue performance of binders and mastic samples.     

Microstructure and fracture morphology of carbon nano-fiber modified asphalt and hot mix asphalt mixtures

This paper focuses on the microstructure and fracture surface morphology of neat and carbon nanofibers (CNF) modified asphalts and hot mix asphalt (HMA) mixtures using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Asphalt binder was modified with 1.5 % of CNF by weight of binder. The modified asphalt was used to construct HMA mixtures at various CNF dosages, mixed with aggregate, using the Superpave Gyratory compactor. Small rectangular specimens extracted from the center of large HMA samples were tested under direct tension and the fracture surface was examined under SEM. The SEM analysis developed a fundamental understanding of the role that the CNF modification plays in the performance enhancement of asphalt and HMA mixtures. It was found that CNF not only possess good adhesion characteristics but also exhibits high connectivity and were evenly distribution throughout the binder. The fracture surface morphology also revealed that CNF exhibited crack bridging at micro/nano scale which may enhance the resistance to cracking due to repeated traffic loads.