Optimisation of hot mix asphalt performance based on aggregate selection

Researchers over the last four decades have identified and demonstrated the effects of aggregate morphological properties (particularly shape, size distribution, angularity and texture) on the mechanical properties of hot mix asphalt (HMA). Rare studies, however, have clearly established the relationships between the aggregate properties and pavement performance. Therefore, they have not provided methods to optimise aggregate properties at the design stage to improve that performance. This study focuses on understanding the effects of aggregate gradation and type on moisture damage resistance of HMA and on pavement performance as indicated by stiffness and rutting. Results show that basalt aggregate achieves higher moisture susceptibility resistance and stiffness than limestone aggregate. Coarser gradation has the highest permanent deformation, while open gradation 2C provides the lowest moisture damage resistance. Furthermore, dense gradation 4C provides the lowest rutting and the highest stripping resistance. It is indicated that suitable selection of aggregate type and gradation can improve pavement performance and reduce the moisture damage problem of HMA.     

Investigating the effect of nanoparticles on the rutting behaviour of hot-mix asphalt

Rutting is considered as one of the major damages in asphalt mixtures. In this study, different types of nanoparticles such as TiO₂, Al₂O₃, Fe₂O₃ and ZnO in different percentages were added to the base asphalt binder in order to decrease the rutting potential of hot-mix asphalt (HMA). In the first step, asphalt binder tests for characteristics such as penetration grade, ductility, softening point and viscosity were performed on the asphalt binder modified by the nanoparticles. Then, after preparing HMA samples, the static creep test was done at two stress levels at a specific temperature. Results of this study showed that using the nanoparticles improved the behavioural properties of the asphalt binder and decreased rutting in asphalt mix samples. Furthermore, scanning electron microscope images taken from the asphalt binder samples modified by the nanoparticles demonstrated that these nanoparticles were properly distributed in the asphalt binder space and had a positive effect on the rutting performance of the asphalt mixes.     

Performance evaluation of warm mix asphalt containing reclaimed asphalt mixtures

The objective of this study is to expose the effect of a variety of variables including three reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP) contents, two warm mix asphalt (WMA) additives and a rejuvenating agent (or lack of) on the performance of WMA containing (WMA–RAP) materials. A laboratory study was conducted to evaluate the performance of WMA–RAP mixtures through rutting, bending and freeze-thaw splitting tests. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) was performed to analyse the significant effect of the variables on the performance. The tests results showed that the increased RAP content led to an increased rutting resistance and the decreased resistance to low-temperature cracking and moisture damage. The addition of the rejuvenating agent into the WMA–RAP mixtures can significantly improve the low-temperature cracking and moisture resistance. The ANOVA results showed that the RAP content had a significant effect on the rutting and low-temperature cracking resistance, and moreover, the rejuvenating agent (or lack of) had a large effect on the low-temperature cracking and moisture resistance.     

Introducing a simple method to determine aggregate gradation of hot mix asphalt using image processing

The aggregate gradation is one of the most important parameters in the mechanical properties of hot mix asphalt (HMA). Thus, determining the aggregate gradation is a very significant subject in civil engineering. Usually, to estimate the aggregate gradation, it is required to separate the aggregate from the bitumen, and this operation can be time-consuming and even dangerous related to chemical solvents. Moreover, several computer-based methods have been established to model the internal structure of HMA in two- and three-dimensional methods and can be applied to determine the aggregate gradation, but these methods need special and expensive equipment. Therefore, in this study, a simple approach is introduced to quickly and easily determine the aggregate gradation of HMA from the prepared cross-section images of cylindrical samples using numerical and image-processing techniques such as fitting equation and colour space system. The obtained results indicate that the introduced method can detect the aggregate gradation with high accuracy and can be used as a satisfactory alternative to other expensive methods.     

Fatigue resistance investigation of warm‐mix recycled asphalt binder,mastic, and fine aggregate matrix

Fatigue cracking is one of the primary distresses in warm‐mix recycled asphalt pavements. This paper evaluates the fatigue resistance evolution of warm‐mix recycled asphalt materials in different scales during the service period. The strain sweep test and time sweep test were performed, respectively, by dynamic shear rheometer to determine the linear viscoelastic limits and to characterize the fatigue behavior of warm‐mix recycled asphalt binder, mastic, and fine aggregate matrix with different ageing levels and recycling plans. The dissipated energy method was used to define the failure criterion and to construct the fatigue model. Effects of ageing levels and recycling plans on stiffness and fatigue resistance were investigated. Performance correlations among warm‐mix recycled asphalt binder, mastic, and fine aggregate matrix were developed, respectively, by the statistical method to determine the critical material scale for stiffness and fatigue resistance.     

Fatigue behaviour of dry or partially saturated hot mix asphalt (HMA)

This paper analyses the water, the degree of saturation, and the void content effects on the fatigue behaviour of hot mix asphalt (HMA) samples mixed in the laboratory. Some results on stiffness are also given. Fatigue characterization was carried out through a uniaxial tension‐compression (T‐C) test performed in a controlled‐strain mode, at 10°C and 10 Hz, on cylindrical samples. Our results show that the stiffness is not significantly affected by the water. This finding could be attributed to the short period of immersion of samples in water, low testing temperature, low void content of tested samples, and high viscosity of bitumen used. Furthermore, the fatigue resistance of HMA partially saturated with water (PSW) is lower than the one obtained for dry materials.     

聚合物改性沥青高温抗变形特性实验研究

为研究短期老化作用、温度分别对3种聚合物改性沥青:SBS改性沥青(SMA)、橡胶粉改性沥青(RPMA)、复合改性沥青(CMA)抗变形能力的影响,利用动态剪切流变仪(DSR)分别对3种沥青原样及旋转薄膜烘箱老化(RTFOT)后的沥青试样进行重复蠕变恢复实验,利用抗变形指数HL与蠕变劲度的粘性部分GV对沥青高温变形性能进行评价;并利用扫描电子显微镜对各沥青试样的微观结构形态进行观察,从微观角度解释不同沥青抗变形能力存在差异的原因。结果表明,GV与HL可较好地评价高温下改性沥青的抗变形能力;短期老化作用使基质沥青与改性剂的微观结构发生变化,抗变形性能改变;温度对沥青抗变形能力的影响取决于沥青温度敏感性的强弱,RPMA在高温状态下表现最好。     

Effect of aggregate types on the performance of neat and EVA-modified asphalt mixtures

The objective of this study is to determine the effect of bitumen modification with varying percentage of ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) for preparing the hot-mix asphalt containing various aggregates (marble, granite and quartzite) and compare the results with mixes prepared with neat viscosity grade 30. The selection of aggregates has been done based on their acidic and basic nature. The physical and mechanical properties of EVA-modified bitumen and neat bitumen aggregate mixes were evaluated. Moisture susceptibility tests and wheel tracking test were carried out on the samples. Brookfield viscometer and dynamic shear rheometer were used to determine the mixing and compacting temperatures of neat and modified bitumen. The results indicate that mixes prepared with aggregates that are basic in nature, i.e. with higher calciumcontent, show better bonding with both neat bitumen and EVA-modified bitumen compared with acidic aggregates, i.e. aggregates with higher silica content.     

Optimization of normal and high strength recycled aggregate concrete mixtures by using packing model

This paper analyzes the possibility of applying the Compressible Packing Model (CPM) for the proportion of concrete mixtures produced with Recycled Concrete Aggregates (RCAs). As a matter of fact, the RCAs are composed of natural aggregates and attached mortar and, as a consequence, they generally present a higher porosity in comparison with ordinary natural aggregates. The higher porosity of RCAs can affect the resulting Recycled Aggregate Concretes (RACs) properties and, for this reason, the mix design procedure available in literature for ordinary concrete mixture cannot be applied as such in the case of RACs. In this context, the present work first presents a preliminary study in which the optimal mixing procedure for RACs is investigated and then, a possible extension of the CPM in the case of RACs is analyzed. Several structural RAC mixtures were designed for three strength classes (25, 45 and 65 MPa) by considering the variation of the aggregate replacement from 0 to 100%. Finally, the proposed procedure is experimentally validated by performing mechanical and durability tests on selected mixtures for the three strength classes with a RCAs content up to 60%. The results reported herein demonstrate the applicability of the CPM for recycled concrete mixtures and highlight as the rational use of RCAs lead to produce structural RAC without affecting its mechanical and the durability performance.     

两种粘结料对泡沫沥青冷再生混合料性能的影响

通过加速加载试验、低温弯曲试验、飞散试验研究了泡沫沥青和水泥两种粘结材料对泡沫沥青冷再生混合料(CRMFA)长期高温抗变形能力、低温抗裂性以及抗松散性能的影响。研究结果表明:对CRMFA的长期高温抗变形能力而言,存在一个最佳泡沫沥青用量;增加水泥掺量有助于提高CRMFA的长期高温抗变形能力。CRMFA的低温柔韧性随泡沫沥青用量的增大而提升,但随水泥掺量增加呈抛物线变化规律,为保证CRMFA具有良好的低温抗裂性能,水泥掺量宜小于2wt%。CRMFA的抗松散性能较差,增加泡沫沥青用量可有效降低其松散性;水泥掺量在1.5wt%~2.5wt%时,对CRMFA抗松散性的改善作用不显著。     

温拌剂种类及掺量对不同沥青流变性能的影响

为了研究温拌剂种类及掺量对沥青流变性能的影响,通过动态剪切流变仪对分别掺加RH和Evotherm温拌剂的SBS改性沥青和基质沥青进行温度扫描试验,分析了它们的复数剪切模量、相位角和车辙因子。结果表明,Evotherm温拌剂在28~52℃能够提升两种沥青抗车辙性能,52℃后效果减弱;并且在28~40℃间可以提高两种沥青弹性恢复性能,40℃后会使SBS改性沥青弹性恢复性能减弱,对基质沥青无影响。增加Evotherm温拌剂掺量,在28~52℃会使温拌SBS改性沥青抗车辙性能提高,使温拌基质沥青抗车辙性能有所减弱,52℃后影响不明显。RH温拌剂在28~46℃对两种沥青抗车辙性能略有不利,但负面作用随温度升高逐渐减弱甚至消失;RH温拌剂能够显著增大两种沥青高温时弹性恢复性能。RH温拌剂掺量增大会使两种沥青抗车辙性能降低,但会使弹性恢复性能增强。     

Sensitivity analysis of dynamic response and fatigue behaviour of various asphalt concrete mixtures

This paper presents the dynamic response (|E*|) and fatigue behaviour of various asphalt concrete mixtures subjected to sinusoidal compressive loading. Eight different wearing and base mixtures including Superpave, Asphalt Institute, British Standard dense bituminous macadam and Pakistan's National Highway Authority gradations were selected, and gyratory compacted specimens were fabricated. Laboratory investigations of |E*| at various temperatures (4.4 to 54.4 °C) and loading frequencies (0.1 to 25 Hz) were used to construct stress‐dependent master curves separately, for wearing and base course mixtures. The indicators of dynamic response and viscous (or elastic) properties of the mixtures were used to derive fatigue parameter to estimate the resistance to fatigue, and results revealed that Superpave wearing and NHA‐B base course had better resistance to fatigue for evaluated mixtures. Also, the sensitivity of the dynamic modulus to the variation in hot mix asphalt mix properties using different aggregate gradation, diverse loading frequencies and temperature were evaluated.     

基于饱和面干骨料的粉煤灰混凝土配合比设计及碳化性能研究

本文以设计试验研究基于饱和面干骨料的粉煤灰混凝土为主,并通过试验数据分析得出结论：相同水胶比的情况下,随着粉煤灰掺量的增加,混凝土7d、28d强度逐渐下降,拌和物坍落度也平稳下降;自然养护条件和标准养护条件对碳化深度有一定的影响;饱和面干骨料粉煤灰混凝土的强度测定期应当延迟。     

Using the surface free energy method to evaluate the effects of liquid antistrip additives on moisture sensitivity in hot mix asphalt

The objectives of this research are to evaluate the susceptibility of aggregates and asphalt binder with and without liquid antistrip (LAA) additives to moisture damage based on the properties that affect the adhesion bond between the aggregate and asphalt binder and the cohesion strength of the asphalt binder using the surface free energy (SFE) concept and laboratory testing. The percentage of the aggregate surface area that was exposed to water (P) due to each cycle was used as a screening parameter for evaluating the compatibility of the asphalt binder and aggregates in terms of the resistance to moisture damage. The results show that adding LAA causes the total SFE of the asphalt binder to increase, which results in a decrease in stripping between the aggregate and asphalt binder in the presence of water. Similar results were obtained from a dynamic modulus test. From the data obtained, we conclude that LAA caused a reduction of the magnitude of P that improves its resistance to moisture damage.     

Comparison between the fatigue response of hot and warm mix asphalts based on the dissipated energy approach

This study focused on the fatigue behaviour of warm mix asphalt (WMA) based on the dissipated energy (DE) approach. Two conventional binders consisting of 60/70 and 85/100 penetration-grade bitumens were used to prepare the control mix. WMA was prepared by incorporating 2% Sasobit by weight of bitumen. First, the basic properties of WMA containing optimum bitumen content were compared with those of control hot mix asphalt (HMA). The main laboratory programme included four-point flexural fatigue test that was accomplished at different strain levels of 250, 500, 750 and 1000 microstrain. The studied WMA had comparable Marshall stability and indirect tensile strength to those of control HMA. Furthermore, based on the resilient modulus test results, the temperature susceptibility of WMA was slightly more than that of the control mix. Fatigue lives of studied mixes were evaluated using the conventional fatigue curves that were developed based on the initial strain level. Comparison between these curves revealed the predominant fatigue behaviour of WMAs at different examined strain levels. The initial DE and the cumulative DE of WMAs were lower than those of HMAs. The latter issue justifies the predominant fatigue response of WMA. By considering the DE curve, the ratio of dissipated energy change (RDEC) was calculated. Afterward, the plateau value (PV) was determined using the moving average of fatigue data in the plateau stage of the RDEC curve. Finally, PV-based fatigue models were developed which could precisely estimate the fatigue life regardless of the mix type and testing condition.     

基于原子力显微镜技术的沥青与矿料表面粗糙度及黏附特性

采用原子力显微镜技术(AFM)的轻敲和力曲线模式,在微观尺度下对沥青与矿料表面的二维图像和三维形貌信息进行采集和分析,并测试和计算表征材料物理黏结特性的表面能。测试和分析结果显示,不同油源的沥青具有明显不同的化学组分和表面粗糙度,具有蜂形结构的沥青表面粗糙度更大。老化将明显减少沥青的表面粗糙度,降低其表面能,进而对沥青与矿料的黏附产生不利影响。结合宏观的黏附拉拔力学试验,对沥青和矿料表面粗糙度、表面能与宏观拉拔强度间的关联进行统计分析。结果表明,对于含蜂形结构的沥青,沥青和矿料表面粗糙度对黏附力学性能较为重要;而对于不含蜂形结构的沥青,其与矿料的黏附性更决定于所选材料的表面能,即两种材料间的物理黏结作用。     

Influence of confinement pressure and air voids on the repeated creep and recovery of asphalt concrete mixtures

A laboratory investigation was conducted to capture the influence of confinement pressure and specimen air voids on the creep and recovery response of asphalt concrete (AC) mixtures. AC specimens were fabricated at 2% and 7% air voids and tested at three temperatures (20, 40 and 55°C) and at unconfined and confined conditions (100 and 200 kPa). A total of 20,000 repetitions of a repeated trapezoidal loading and recovery cycle were applied. The resulting creep curves showed four distinct patterns of the three-stage creep curve depending on the loading condition and specimen density. To quantify the mechanical response during the secondary stage where the response was found to be linear, linear viscoelastic modelling was carried out. Using creep time, energy stored and energy dissipated, which were determined from model parameters; the influence of air voids and confinement pressure was quantified.     

粉煤灰／海泡石纤维复合沥青混合料的制备与性能研究

从海泡石纤维和粉煤灰纤维的微观结构特性出发，进行粉煤灰，海泡石复合纤维增强沥青复合材料的制备。通过路用性能试验，研究了海泡石纤维和粉煤灰纤维对沥青混合料性能的影响以及结合机理。结果表明，添加适量海泡石和粉煤灰纤维可以制备性能优良的纤维复合沥青混合料。海泡石纤维对沥青表现极强吸持能力，有效调节沥青与胶浆的含量。粉煤灰纤维在沥青中主要起加固和改善混合料的作用。两种纤维的添加，使沥青混合料的高温变形性、水稳定性、低温抗裂性和抗疲劳性等显著提高。     

Effects of compound curing agent on the thermo-mechanical properties and structure of epoxy asphalt

Epoxy asphalt curing system was prepared by sebacic acid compound with methyl-tetrahydrophthalic anhydride (MeTHPA) or Tung oil anhydride (TOA). Tensile strength, penetration, differential scanning calorimetry, dynamic mechanical thermal analysis, torn section microscopy photographs and scanning electron microscope analysis were utilised to investigate the mechanical properties, thermodynamic behaviour and micro-structure of epoxy asphalt curing systems under different curing agents. The results showed that in the presence of compound curing agent, the tensile strength and surface hardness of the epoxy asphalt curing system effectively improved, the induction period of the curing reaction decreased, the curing reaction mechanism turned to one-step reaction from two-step reaction, the Tg of asphalt phase and epoxy phase could simultaneously increase, and high-temperature damping performance also improved, but the particle size of asphalt dispersed in epoxy resin becomes uneven, while the curing system becomes semi-brittle from toughness. Compared to TOA, the effects of MeTHPA on such performance were more obvious.     

高温持续荷载作用下复合纤维对沥青混合料稳定性的影响

为了研究复合纤维沥青混合料在高温持续荷载作用下的稳定性,根据工程中常用纤维和已有研究成果,选用了三种复合纤维,对沥青混合料的变形发展规律及内部空隙结构特征开展试验研究。首先采用加速加载试验,对不掺加纤维和掺加复合纤维的沥青混合料在高温持续荷载作用下的横断面变化和车辙深度进行分析;再利用X-CT扫描技术与VG软件三维重构功能,研究不同纤维沥青混合料的空隙组成及形态特征演变规律。结果表明:高温持续荷载作用下,掺加纤维混合料横断面变形呈现"W"字型,不同纤维在沥青混合料中发挥"加筋"、"增黏"、"吸油"的协同作用,能显著减小沥青混合料的流动变形,且掺加复合纤维III的混合料流动变形最小;掺加不同复合纤维的沥青混合料可采用y=a-b·ln(x+c)进行车辙深度预估。加速加载试验后,掺加三种复合纤维的沥青混合料空隙率最大仅增加7%,分形维数仅降低不到0.5%,表明掺加三种复合纤维基本不改变沥青混合料的空隙结构特征,而且在高温持续荷载作用下,可较好地保持沥青混合料内部空隙的三维形态特征,进而改善沥青混合料的抗变形能力。