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.     

Pre- and post-peak toughening behaviours of fibre-reinforced hot-mix asphalt mixtures

Recycled plastic fibre-reinforced hot-mix asphalt (HMA) mixtures have better fatigue resistance than plain HMA. The toughening effects of recycled plastic fibre-reinforced HMA were characterised using direct tensile loading tests. Adding a small quantity of recycled plastic fibres to HMA was found to significantly increase the mixture's fracture energy and toughness, which were calculated using the pre- and post-peak stages of tensile force–displacement curves. A theoretical model representing the pre-peak behaviour of fibre-reinforced HMA with direct tension-softening curves for various fibre contents is presented here. The enhanced toughness through post-peak analysis was also observed using toughness indices associated with fibre-bridging effect after the pre-peak composite stress. The pre-peak fracture energy model and post-peak toughness indices appeared to be governed by the direct tensile toughening of fibre-reinforced HMA's enhanced fibre-bridging effects. The pre-peak fracture energy model demonstrates the effect of fibre content on the strain energy density during the pull-out process within the pre-peak composite stress region. The maximum pre-peak fracture energy of a coarse-graded HMA mixed with recycled plastic fibres is achieved at a fibre content of 0.4% of the total weight of the HMA. The increases in the toughness indices within the post-peak composite stress region indicate that the fatigue resistance of fibre-reinforced HMA is at least 30% greater than that of control HMA.     

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。      

Influence of asphalt compaction procedure on 3D deformation properties

In this study, the effect of various laboratory procedures for compacting hot-mix asphalt to form test specimens is investigated. Based on the triaxial cyclic compression test (TCCT) according to the European specification EN 12697-25, the resistance to permanent deformation of the specimen obtained from different types of laboratory compaction is studied. The deformation behaviour of the laboratory-compacted specimens is always compared with the deformation properties stated in TCCT for the asphalt mix specimen taken from on-site roller-compacted road pavement. As a result, the effect of the choice of laboratory compaction procedure on the resulting deformation behaviour in TCCT is assessed.     

Field performance of hand-mixed and machine-mixed asphalt in labour-based asphalt maintenance works

Asphalt premix for labour-based maintenance works can be produced manually (hand-mixed) or by mechanised asphalt plants – the conventional method. Hand-mixed asphalt (HDMA), common especially in most developing countries, is claimed to equal machine-mixed asphalt (MMA) in terms of durability. Recently, however, there have been concerns about reduced durability of labour-based asphalt (LBA) works. The current study compared durability of HDMA and MMA with a view to establish suitable scope and appropriate traffic conditions for LBA maintenance works. The study was based on laboratory tests – on binder, aggregate and site premix – and field experiments which involved asphalt production and placement of small and big patches of HDMA and MMA on a heavily trafficked Likuni Road and a lightly trafficked Tsiranana Avenue in Lilongwe, Malawi. The study monitored the patch durability for two months after the maintenance work. Effects of the study variables – production method (HDMA and MMA), scope of works (small and big patches) and road category (heavily trafficked and lightly trafficked roads) – on patch durability were statistically analysed. The study has shown that production method affects durability of LBA the most. HDMA had 67% less durability than MMA. Scope of works and road class affected LBA durability by 27% and 23%, respectively. At a level of significance (p-value) of 0.05, the effect of production method was significant, while that of patch size and work scope was not statistically significant. It is imperative of asphalt producers to adhere to proportions of premix components if quality of HDMA is to improve. Apart from improving the HDMA production process, the quality of LBA works could be improved by increasing contractors’ access to MMA. The study recommends contractors’ cooperation and adoption of production techniques (cost-cutting techniques) such as use of recycled asphalt pavement and warm mixture asphalts in order to improve contractors’ access to MMA.     

Laboratory characterisation of asphalt mixes containing RAP and RAS

Due to its economic and environmental benefits, using reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP) and reclaimed asphalt shingles (RAS) in new hot-mix asphalt (HMA) has become an integral part of today's asphalt industry. The advantages of using RAP and RAS in HMA are not limited to economic and environmental benefits, and may result in improving a number of mix performance characteristics including rutting and resistance to moisture-induced damage. Despite aforementioned benefits, concerns over premature pavement distresses resulting from using RAP and RAS limit their usage in HMA. Furthermore, because of the lack of mechanistic performance data, use of new mixes containing RAP and RAS remains limited. Therefore, the present study was undertaken to investigate the effects of using different amounts of RAP and RAS on laboratory performance of HMA, and to generate valuable input design parameters for implementation of the mechanistic-empirical pavement design guide (M-EPDG), using local materials. Four types of base course mixes containing 0% RAP, 25% RAP, 40% RAP and 20% RAP+5% RAS, and three types of surface course mixes containing 0% RAP, 25% RAP and 20% RAP+5% RAS were tested. Laboratory tests were conducted to evaluate stiffness, low-temperature cracking, fatigue life, rut and moisture-induced damage potential of the mixes. It was found that dynamic modulus and creep compliance of the asphalt mixes increase and decrease, respectively, with an increase in the amount of RAP and/or RAS used in the mix. Fatigue life was found to increase with increasing RAP content up to 25%, and to decrease when the RAP and/or RAS content exceeded 25%, or when RAS was used in the mix. It should be noted that this conclusion was drawn based on a 15% increment in RAP content. Hamburg wheel tracking (HWT) test results showed increased resistance to rutting and moisture-induced damage, with an increase in the amount of RAP and/or RAS. However, the tensile strength ratio test results were not confirmed by HWT. The findings of this study are expected to be helpful in understanding the effects of using different amounts of RAP and RAS on the performance of asphalt mixes produced using local materials. Furthermore, valuable design input parameters, developed in this study for new mixes containing RAP and RAS, may be used for calibration of the M-EPDG input parameters, with local materials.     

The characterisation of foamed asphalt cement using a rotational viscometer

Warm mix asphalt using foaming technology is a widely used alternative to traditional Hot Mix Asphalt in the USA. However, there has been relatively limited research exploring the behaviour of the foamed asphalt cement, especially using traditional asphalt cement testing equipment. This research used the rotational viscometer to develop four new metrics that quantify the behaviour of foamed asphalt cement. These four metrics showed that increasing the foaming temperature increased the observed viscosity, but the initial observed viscosity decreased with lower asphalt binder grades. However, the point at which the observed viscosity crossed the actual viscosity increased with lower asphalt binder grades. Overall, the Wirtgen foamer had higher observed viscosity vs. the PTI foamer and provided a more robust foaming material. However, it is recommended that the AccuFoamer also be explored in future research, along with comparing laboratory produced foamed asphalt cement with field produced foamed asphalt cement.     

Performance of porous asphalt mixture with various additives

The objective of this study is to evaluate the approaches to improve the durability and strength of the porous asphalt through laboratory testing. Porous asphalt specimens were prepared using three types of binders: high-viscosity binder (HVB), PG76-22 and PG70-22. Various additives: fibre, hydrated lime and DBS polymer, were utilised in the porous asphalt. Comprehensive laboratory tests, including strength test, binder draindown test, Cantabro abrasion test, moisture susceptibility test, rutting test, thermal stress restrained sample test, and permeability test, were conducted. It is found that HVB significantly improved the overall performance of the porous asphalt; DBS additive improved its high-temperature performance, but lowered the cracking resistance at low temperature as well as the durability; fibre enhanced its durability and anti-cracking performance at low temperature; hydrated lime improved its moisture stability while weakening its durability. It is concluded that HVB and polyester fibre should be used in all porous asphalt; DBS additive is good for porous asphalt in high-temperature areas, and hydrated lime can be added to porous asphalt in rainy areas.     

不同温度环境中沥青混凝土动态抗压性能试验研究

为研究沥青混凝土在不同温度环境中的动态力学特性,该研究在-20～30 ℃和10-5～10-2 s-1条件下对其进行了动态抗压试验研究.试验结果表明:温度和应变速率对沥青混凝土的力学性能有显著影响,降低温度或增加应变速率导致抗压强度和弹性模量增加,峰值应变减小;当温度大于20 ℃或小于-10 ℃时,应变速率由10-5 s...     

Field performance of top-down fatigue cracking for warm mix asphalt pavements

As a result of repeated rehabilitation efforts over the past few decades, often asphalt pavements have become deep-strength pavements. Consequently, top-down cracking has become a primary distress type. In particular, the top-down cracking performance of warm mix asphalt (WMA) pavements, i.e. how does it compare with similar hot mix asphalt (HMA) pavements is largely unclear mainly due to the lack of field performance data. This paper presents an effort of monitoring the top-down cracking performance of 28 pavement projects including WMA pavements and their corresponding HMA control pavements with service lives ranging between 4 and 10 years. These pavements cover different climate zones, WMA technologies, service years, pavement structures and traffic volume levels. Two rounds of distress surveys were conducted at a two-year interval, and the material (asphalt binder and mixture) properties of the pavements were determined using field cores. The top-down cracking performance of the HMA and WMA pavements was compared based on the first and second round distress surveys. It was found that the HMA and WMA pavement in general exhibited comparable performance. The significant determinants (material properties) for top-down cracking were determined, which were vertical failure deformation of mixes measured at 20 °C from indirect tension test.     

A proposed methodology for the global study of the mechanical properties of cold asphalt mixtures

Despite having been used for decades, the structural performance of emulsion-treated materials has still not been investigated as intensely as in the case of hot-mix asphalt (HMA). Proof of this is the lack of evolution of specific technical tests and standards. Due to this, many studies with cold asphalt mixtures (CAM) are carried out based on HMA specifications. Throughout the present paper, a new methodology is proposed in order to study different mechanical properties of CAM, such as unconfined compression strength (UCS), indirect tensile strength (ITS) and indirect tensile stiffness modulus (ITSM) not only in an independent way but also by giving a global approach. The consistency and applicability of the method is discussed and from its application to a practical case study with two very different CAM, new conclusions about their performance are laid down.     

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.     

A new hybrid real-coded genetic algorithm and its application to parameters identification of soils

Inverse analysis using an optimization method based on a genetic algorithm (GA) is a useful tool for obtaining soil parameters in geotechnical fields. However, the performance of the optimization in identifying soil parameters mainly depends on the search ability of the GA used. This study aims to develop a new efficient hybrid real-coded genetic algorithm (RCGA) being applied to identify parameters of soils. In this new RCGA, a new hybrid strategy is proposed by adopting two crossovers with outstanding ability, namely the Simulated Binary Crossover and the simplex crossover. In order to increase the convergence speed, a chaotic local search technique is used conditionally. The performance of the proposed RCGA is first validated by optimizing mathematical benchmark functions. The results demonstrate that the RCGA has an outstanding search ability and faster convergence speed compared to other hybrid RCGAs. The proposed new hybrid RCGA is then further evaluated by identifying soil parameters based on both laboratory tests and field tests, for different soil models. All the comparisons demonstrate that the proposed RCGA has an excellent performance of inverse analysis in identifying soil parameters, and is thus recommended for use based on all the evaluations carried out in this paper.     

Verification of the new viscoelastic method of thermal stress calculation in asphalt layers of pavements

The new viscoelastic method of thermal stress calculations in asphalt layers has been developed and published recently by the author. This paper presents verification of this method. The verification is based on the comparison of the results of calculations with results of testing of thermal stresses in Thermal Stress Restrained Specimen Test. The calculations of thermal stresses according to the new method were based on rheological parameters of the Burgers model. The parameters were measured in laboratory at different low temperatures, at long time creep under constant loading. Five asphalt mixes were tested. Three of them were high modulus asphalt concretes and two conventional asphalt concretes. Specimens were prepared in exactly the same way both for rheological creep tests and for the Thermal Stress Restrained Specimen Test. The results of measured thermal stresses were compared with thermal stresses calculated from the new viscoelastic method developed by the author and in most cases a good agreement was found. For comparison, the measured stresses were compared with results of calculations according to the existing methods. The viscoelastic Monismith method failed in prediction of thermal stresses. The prediction from the quasi-elastic Hills and Brien method was underestimated, but better than from the Monismith method and worse than from the new viscoelastic method. The reasons of discrepancies were discussed.     

Modified toughness used to evaluate the effect of polymer modified asphalt on SMA

Abstract

Toughness, as defined in ASTM D5801, is the work used to stretch a specimen until fracture, and is used to evaluate the ability of polymer modified asphalt (PMA) to resist deformation. Fracture elongations in PMA are usually longer than 10 cm. However, it is almost impossible for asphalt concrete, with or without PMA, to endure such large deformation before fracture. It is presumed that an effective elongation exists for more effective determination of toughness. Principle component analysis (PCA) and single regression analysis were used in this study to evaluate the correlation between physical tests of PMA, including toughness and performance tests of Stonic Mastic Asphalt (SMA). Meanwhile, performance tests, including resilient modulus tests, creep tests and indirect tensile tests, were conducted on SMA samples. According to the results form Principle Components Analysis (PCA), it was observed that only a common factor affects the performance tests. Regression analyses were used to find common factors from physical tests of PMA. Correlation coefficients between toughness and performance tests were found to be better than other physical tests. When toughness was calculated with effective elongation (6.5 cm), R ² was 0.90. In our opinion, the desirable PMA should provide SMA enough work to resist the deformation while the deformation is still small. This result was also confirmed by observation of SEM and Rheological analysis. Modified toughness (calculated with effective elongation) considered as the common factor, is a simple method to evaluate the microstructure of PMA. Overall, modified toughness seems promising for use in evaluation of the effect of PMA on SMA.     

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.     

废弃沥青材料的循环利用关键技术研究

通过了解国内外沥青路面再生技术的发展现状,剖析沥青路面老化、再生机理,提出了废旧沥青混合料循环利用的技术,研发出一套行之有效的沥青路面热再生技术,以适应当今形势下的沥青路面再生、资源循环利用和环境保护的需要,为建设资源节约型、环境友好型社会而努力。     

基于数字散斑相关法的聚合物改性沥青混合料抗裂性能

为分析冻融循环对苯乙烯-丁二烯-苯乙烯（SBS）和橡胶粉（CR）改性沥青混合料抗裂性能的影响,首先,分别对盐溶液冻融循环和水溶液冻融循环改性沥青混合料进行了半圆试件弯拉试验,同时采用数字散斑相关法（DSCT）对加载过程试件表面的散斑图像进行处理,提取试件表面随着载荷变化的位移场和应变场信息;然后,通过分析变形场信息确定沥青混合料的抗裂性能,并与断裂韧性试验结果进行对比。结果表明:水平应变较适合用于对沥青混合料的抗裂性能开展特性研究;由水平应变-时间曲线可知,冻融循环后SBS和CR改性沥青混合料的抗裂性能均有所劣化,且盐溶液冻融循环对沥青混合料抗裂性能的影响要大于水溶液冻融循环的;与SBS改性沥青混合料相比,CR改性沥青混合料的抗裂性能较好。所得结论表明DSCT的分析结果与断裂韧性试验的分析结果一致,采用DSCT评价沥青混合料的抗裂性能是可行的。      

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.     

State of the art: interface shear resistance of asphalt surface layers

Interface shear resistance is a measure of the bonding between two layers under shear loading. Adequate interface shear resistance and long-term bonding of the surface to the underlying pavement are critical to the performance of pavement structures. Interface shear strength is a function of adhesion, friction and aggregate embedment or interlock and is commonly modelled as a Mohr–Coulomb type envelope. Measurement of interface shear resistance can be performed in the field on full-scale pavements, in the laboratory on cores recovered from the surface or in the laboratory using samples prepared in the laboratory. However, laboratory testing of cores recovered from the field is likely to be more reliable and repeatable than field testing. There is a large range of test methods and procedures for the measurement of interface bond. These test methods are generally grouped into three main loading mechanisms; axial tension, torsional shear and direct shear. Direct shear tests offer a more comprehensive assessment of the full interface strength. The interface’s resistance to shear can be characterised by its strength, modulus/stiffness or work/energy. The results are affected by the test protocol, tack coat type and application rate, test temperature, applied normal stress and rate of loading, interface condition and post-construction trafficking. Of these, the test temperature is the most influential factor. A number of studies have reported contradictory and conflicting conclusions with regard to the importance of various factors and conditions on the different measures of interface shear resistance. Such inconsistent findings likely stem from the complicated interaction between the various interface conditions and testing protocols. The fundamental factors affecting monotonic interface strength are now reasonably well understood. The focus of future research is expected to be on shear fatigue performance of interfaces.