Investigation of the Rheological Properties and Chemical Structure of Asphalt under Multiple Aging Conditions of Heat, UV and Aqueous Solution

Round 1

Reviewer 1 Report

The paper presents the experimental investigation of asphalt under different environmental conditions. The manuscript is well written and can help the scientific community. Below are few recommendations:

1.       Please mention the sample size of the investigation in experiment section.

2.       Please add future recommendations in conclusions.

Author Response

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Author Response File: Author Response.pdf

Reviewer 2 Report

Journal : Materials

Materials-1850847

Manuscript: Investigation on aging performance of asphalt under multiple environmental conditions of heat, UV and aqueous solution"

Comments:

This manuscript should be major revised before considered for publication. There are a few grammatical and punctuation mistakes in the manuscript which need to be corrected. Besides, the following correction should be incorporated: -

General Comments.

1. The tables and figures used are not clear and can be enhanced. Heading must be with sequential numbers like 1.0, 1.1, 1.2, etc.

2. In reference section some reference is de-shaped, may be due to formatting. They are also needed to be corrected as per journal format.

3. The introduction must be reduced to one and a half pages.

4. The title needed significant modification.

5. The numbering of content must correct.

6. The manuscript requires an extension of the literature.

7. The manuscript does not illustrate great attention and activity in the field.

8. Tables also contain few references.

9. Please enhance the manuscript on analysis of earlier mention issues.

10. The figure number is distorted and can be rechecked.

11. For the text clarity, would you refrain from using additional words, mostly meaningless filler words, which can be omitted or some archaic words see, e.g. "respectively", "thus", "hence", "therefore", "furthermore", "thereby", "basically,", "meanwhile", "wherein", "herein", "Nonetheless", "Perceivably," etc.?

12. How the present research is contributng to the journal need to be discussed and quantified.13. What additional elements the current approach will provide compared to other burst detection menthods.

13. What are the limitations of this model and challanges in apply other locations (emerging econoies).

14. What is the physical signifiacne of the time series model devloped.

Specific Comments:

Introduction: The authors should describe the importance of their research more clearly. The references cited lack articles on phenolic contaminants from last year. Try to concise it in one and half page. Last section must be gist of study. Last paragraph must be an outline of the complete study showing the needed and targets assumed in the paper. Hence need minor revision. It also suggestive to add latest article in references. Please use the literature background on cleaner production/sustainability (but not self-citations, please) to broaden the manuscript foundation. Please develop a better title. This one does not state what is important to catch the prospective reader's attention.  

Abstract: It is needed to be started with small introduction and then quantitative description of the paper. It is also suggestive to shorten few unnecessary sentences in abstract. Underscore the scientific value-added to your paper in your abstract. That would help a prospective reader of the abstract to decide if they wish to read the entire article.

2 Method: It is suggested to take a note on the details of model used and brief discussion is needed to be added. More attractive Schematic diagram can be drawn for enhancing reader visibility. One section me be added about the materials in this section before start results and discussion. Method employed and materials test, analysis method must be discussed in this material and method section. Software used must be discussed along its version.

2.3. Characterization of asphalt : Figure 1 need to be clearer before inserting to it. It is also suggested to add table about bond, spacing and peak. Please also add more discussion about Fig. 2 and Fig.3. Comparison with previous result/studies can be added. Table 2 need more explanation.

3.1. High-temperature rutting resistance: need more discussion in the text. Please add table about the theta values, time and bond detected/predicated so that read will be attracted.

3.2. Low-temperature cracking resistance: More specific details are needed to be added with use of latest reference. Better to discuss main and important points in tabular form. Why you used iforest and other approached must be justified.

3.4. Chemical structure: Discussion and conclusions clearly do not establish a strong correlation with cleaner production/sustainability/environmental concerns (however, as much as possible, avoid self-citations). In your discussion section, please link your empirical results with a broader and deeper literature review. Why and how the said parameters were selected for this work. More specific details are needed to be added with use of latest reference. Use of some pictorial; diagram will be more elaborative for readers. Figure 1 and Figure 2,3 need major revision w.r.t to clarity. They also need more discussion w.r.t to text. Figure 4 need enhancment in terms of resolution.

Future scope of this study can be added as well as social impact can also be discussed in this paper.

 

Conclusions: This section is needed to be free from any variables are symbols. Only main pointed like what was expected and what was achieved must be written. What signification contribution this study to the society must be mentioned in this section. Please make sure your conclusions' section underscores the scientific value-added of your paper and/or the applicability of your results. Highlight the novelty of your study.

Author Response

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Reviewer 3 Report

The manuscript (entiled: Investigation on aging performance of asphalt under multiple environmental conditions of heat, UV and aqueous solution) pains main attention to studies the high-temperature rutting resistance and low-temperature cracking resistance of asphalt under multiple conditions of heat. UV radiation and aqueous solution were investigated by DSR test. The related mechanisms of changes in aging performance were discussed by the characterization of the chemical structure and element composition.

 

Author Response

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Reviewer 4 Report

The study is relevant because it investigated the aging of bitumen not only under standard conditions (TFOT) but also by evaluating the effects of UV, water and solvent.  In future studies, it is desirable to evaluate changes in the functional composition by performing the SARA test. Conclusions should be more specific, including numerical values, for example, percentages of rut resistance and cracks resistance changes or absolute values depending on aging conditions. In the introductory part, it is recommended to emphasize that the study of bitumen aging mechanism is important not only to predict longevity, but information about aging can help to correctly restore bitumen properties with rejuvenaturs in case of using RAP. Because the industry worldwide is looking for solutions to use 100% RAP, which can significantly improve the economic and ecological effect, so it is recommended to refer to the DOI:10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2021.126026 because information about the aging of bitumen is very important for such studies

Author Response

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Author Response File: Author Response.pdf

Round 2

Reviewer 2 Report

No further comments.