Investigation of effects of Cocamide Diethanolamide chemical on physical and rheological properties of bituminous binder

In this study, bituminous binder was modified with Cocamide Diethanolamide chemical, a non-ionic surfactant, and the physical and rheological properties of modified binders were investigated. In addition, Cocamide Diethanolamide has been used for the first time to modify bituminous binder, and this situation makes the study distinctive. Bituminous binder was modified more than once with the chemical by changing modification parameters and using certain additive ratios (1%, 3%, and 5%). The effects of different modification parameters and chemical additive on modified samples were investigated with conventional bitumen tests (softening point, penetration, ductility) and Superpave tests (rotational viscometer, rolling thin film oven test, pressure aging vessel, dynamic shear rheometer, bending beam rheometer). In addition, the structural characteristics of the reference binder and modified samples were examined by X-ray diffraction, Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. The examinations showed that Cocamide Diethanolamide softens bituminous binder and lowers processing temperatures. In addition, compared to reference binder, rutting resistances of modified bituminous binders decreased with the increase of additive ratio. However, modification with Cocamide Diethanolamide increased the resistance to fatigue cracks and thermal cracks.