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Characterization of Innovative Asphalt Materials for Use in Pavement Design and Analysis

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A special issue of Materials (ISSN 1996-1944). This special issue belongs to the section "Construction and Building Materials".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 May 2021) | Viewed by 35356

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Special Issue Editors

Prof. Andrea Graziani

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Guest Editor

Polytechnic University of Marche, Ancona, Italy
Interests: cold recycling technologies; bitumen emulsion materials; experimental characterization and mechanical modelling of bituminous materials; pavement reinforcement; mixture design; performance testing

Dr. Gilda Ferrotti

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Co-Guest Editor

Polytechnic University of Marche, Ancona, Italy
Interests: warm mix asphalt mixtures; bio-binders for asphalt pavement applications; pavement reinforcement; performance testing; recycling of asphalt pavements; characterization of flexible pavements interfaces

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The development of sustainable and innovative materials for asphalt pavements has received increasing attention over the past 20 years. Research directions have included, among others, the application of nanomaterials for asphalt modification (nanosilica, nanoclay, etc.), the use of renewable materials in partial replacement of asphalt (bio-binders), the recycling of end-of-life pavement materials (hot, warm and cold), and the application of smart materials and systems for energy harvesting or pavement monitoring. Bringing these innovations from laboratory-scale studies to industrial or pavement-scale applications is now an open challenge that can only be tackled through a rigorous performance- and design-related characterization. Paving mixtures produced using innovative materials must be suitable for laydown on the road surface and must resist both traffic and environmental actions. To ensure this, we can use existing mix and structural design tools only if the behavior of the innovative materials is comparable to that of the conventional asphalt materials, for which the design approaches were originally conceived and validated. If, for example, the temperature dependency or the failure modes are different, then we must look at innovative concepts for design and analysis. The aim of this Special Issue is to collect contributions from research focused on the development of sustainable and innovative asphalt materials seeking paving application opportunities, on the one hand, and research focused on mixture and structural design seeking the right material to solve market-driven challenges, on the other hand. Original research papers, reviews, and case studies aiming at bridging the gap between the laboratory and the pavement scale are welcome.

Prof. Andrea Graziani
Guest Editor

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Keywords

Pavement design
Mixture design
Performance-related characterization of pavement materials
Nano additives for asphalt materials
Bio-binders
Recycling of asphalt pavements
Hanergy harvesting
Smart sensing technologies

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Published Papers (12 papers)

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Editorial

Jump to: Research

5 pages, 209 KiB

Open AccessEditorial

Special Issue: Characterization of Innovative Asphalt Materials for Use in Pavement Design and Analysis

by Gilda Ferrotti and Andrea Graziani

Materials 2022, 15(5), 1883; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma15051883 - 3 Mar 2022

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1687

Abstract

The development of innovative and sustainable materials for use in asphalt pavement applications has received increasing attention over the past 20 years, also thanks to the growing interest in the circular economy approach, which is replacing the linear one [...] Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Characterization of Innovative Asphalt Materials for Use in Pavement Design and Analysis)

Research

Jump to: Editorial

19 pages, 4643 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Influence of a Rejuvenator on Homogenization of an Asphalt Mixture with Increased Content of Reclaimed Asphalt Pavement in Lowered Technological Temperatures

by Pawel Slabonski, Beata Stankiewicz and Damian Beben

Materials 2021, 14(10), 2567; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma14102567 - 14 May 2021

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 2780

Abstract

The most technologically advanced form of road construction uses a high content of reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP) as a component of its asphalt mixture (AM). However, there is a real problem with the effective interaction of RAP and MA. The research herein described presents an effective use of RAP originating from the recycling process of old pavements thanks to the application of an original rejuvenator. Two types of AM were designed concerning the base course of pavement as well as the wearing course and the binder course for various traffic categories. The achieved results show that the rejuvenator improved the homogenization of RAP with the asphalt binder and aggregate in each mixture type. On the basis of the research, the possibility of using paving AM with an increased content of RAP in lowered technological temperatures received a favorable assessment. Mixtures of asphalt concrete containing 40% RAP meet both Polish and German requirements for mixtures intended for heavy traffic pavements. Thanks to use of the rejuvenator, it is possible to compact AM layers containing RAP in a final compaction temperature lowered by about 20 °C. The achieved AM lab test results were confirmed on trial road sections. The rejuvenator used in tested AMs improved the homogenization of RAP with both binder and virgin aggregate. Moreover, the study proved that it is possible to use 20%, 40%, and even 100% RAP contents in the mixtures thanks to the use of the rejuvenator based on plant resin and the creation of conditions enabling the effective homogenization of AM components. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Characterization of Innovative Asphalt Materials for Use in Pavement Design and Analysis)

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25 pages, 19240 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Evaluation of Micro-Mechanism and High- and Low-Temperature Rheological Properties of Disintegrated High Volume Crumb Rubber Asphalt (DHVRA)

by Wei Li, Sen Han, Xiaokang Fu and Ke Huang

Materials 2021, 14(5), 1145; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma14051145 - 28 Feb 2021

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1835

Abstract

The aims of this paper are to prepare disintegrated high volume crumb rubber asphalt (DHVRA) with low viscosity, good workability and low-temperature performance by adding disintegrating agent (DA) in the preparation process, and to further analyze the disintegrating mechanism and evaluated high-temperature and low-temperature rheological properties. To obtain DHVRA with excellent comprehensive performance, the optimum DA dosage was determined. Based on long-term disintegrating tests and the Fluorescence Microscopy (FM) method, the correlations between key indexes and crumb rubber (CR) particle diameter was analyzed, and the evaluation indicator and disintegrating stage division standard were put forward. Furthermore, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and Gel Permeation Chromatography (GPC) was used to reveal the reaction mechanism, and the contact angle test method was adopted to evaluate the surface free energy (SFE). In addition, the high-temperature and low-temperature rheological properties were measured, and the optimum CR content was proposed. Results indicated that the optimum DA dosage was 7.5‰, and the addition of DA promoted the melt decomposition of CR, reduced the viscosity and improved the storage stability. The 135 °C rotational viscosity (RV) of DHVRA from mixing for 3 h could be reduced to 1.475 Pa·s, and the softening point difference was even less than 2 °C. The linear correlation between 135 °C RV and the diameter of CR particle in rubber asphalt system was as high as 0.968, and the viscosity decay rate (VDR) was used as the standard to divide the disintegrating process into a fast disintegrating stage, stable disintegrating stage and slight disintegrating stage. Compared to common rubber asphalt (CRA), DHVRA has an absorption peak at 960 cm⁻¹ caused by trans olefin = C-H, and higher molecular weight and polar component of surface energy. Compared with CRA, although the high-temperature performance of DHVRA decreases slightly, the low-temperature relaxation ability can be greatly improved. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Characterization of Innovative Asphalt Materials for Use in Pavement Design and Analysis)

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12 pages, 1005 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

The Use of De-Vulcanized Recycled Rubber in the Modification of Road Bitumen

by Barbara Gawdzik, Tadeusz Matynia and Krzysztof Błażejowski

Materials 2020, 13(21), 4864; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma13214864 - 30 Oct 2020

Cited by 12 | Viewed by 2455

Abstract

Rubber from recycled car tires and styrene-butadiene-styrene (SBS) were used for the chemical modification of commercially available road bitumen 50/70 (EN 12591). The modification process began with the addition of rubber into asphalt and heating the whole amount at the temperature of 190 °C or 220 °C. Under such conditions, de-vulcanization of rubber took place. Next, SBS and sulfur as a cross-linker were added and the heating was continued so that cross-linking of SBS and the de-vulcanized rubber proceeded. In the studies on the influence of rubber concentration on the final properties of asphalt 10% or 15% of rubber was considered. Chemical modification reactions were performed within 2, 4, and 8 h. The results showed that both the modification at 190 °C and 220 °C affected the properties of the base asphalt efficiently, although the asphalt modified at 190 °C contained more non-degraded rubber. Increasing the modification time led to dissolution of the rubber crumbs and its de-vulcanization. Bitumens modified in this way are characterized by high storage stabilities. Their behavior at low temperatures also deserves attention. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Characterization of Innovative Asphalt Materials for Use in Pavement Design and Analysis)

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19 pages, 6054 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Comparing the Field and Laboratory Curing Behaviour of Cold Recycled Asphalt Mixtures for Binder Courses

by Gilda Ferrotti, Andrea Grilli, Chiara Mignini and Andrea Graziani

Materials 2020, 13(21), 4697; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma13214697 - 22 Oct 2020

Cited by 20 | Viewed by 2266

Abstract

The cold recycling of reclaimed asphalt (RA) for the rehabilitation of end-of-life pavements is becoming very common. Cold recycled asphalt mixtures (CRAMs) are characterised by a curing time, required to reach the material design mechanical performance. Since the laboratory simulation of the long-term field curing is not yet a standardised procedure, a CRAM was laid as binder course in a full-scale trial section that was monitored for more than two years. The comparison between field curing and oven-curing in laboratory at 40 °C was performed by carrying out indirect tensile stiffness modulus (ITSM), indirect tensile strength (ITS) and complex modulus tests, as well as measurements of the air voids content. The evolution of the ITSM as a function of the curing time (field/oven-curing) was obtained for both gyratory specimens and cores taken from the trial section at different time periods. Results showed that the material stiffness development can be accelerated with a small effect on its long-term value if oven-curing is applied a few days/weeks after compaction. A linear relationship was found between the ITS measured on the cores and their air voids content. Finally, the complex modulus tests confirmed that CRAMs provide an intermediate behaviour between asphalt concrete mixtures and cement-bound mixtures. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Characterization of Innovative Asphalt Materials for Use in Pavement Design and Analysis)

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22 pages, 18625 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

A Study on the Influence of the Chemical Nature of Fillers on Rheological and Fatigue Behavior of Bitumen Emulsion Mastic

by Ahmed Al-Mohammedawi and Konrad Mollenhauer

Materials 2020, 13(20), 4627; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma13204627 - 16 Oct 2020

Cited by 15 | Viewed by 2903

Abstract

Cold Bitumen Emulsion (CBE) mixture technologies have been recently developed to lower pavement construction temperatures to reduce environmental costs and control gas emissions. Due to its poor early mechanical strength, active fillers (i.e., cement) have been used to obtain high early stiffness in order to have the potential for timely construction of the next layer. There is, however, a lack of understanding about the impact of active fillers on the viscoelastic behavior and fatigue damage resistance of CBE mastics. This study, therefore, aims to identify the influence of active fillers on the rheological properties and the resulting fatigue behavior of CBE mastic, supported by chemical analysis for the filler-bitumen emulsion. For this aim, bitumen emulsion was mixed separately with seven fillers/blended fillers to prepare the CBE mastics. Various experiments, including continuous pH monitoring tests (chemical reactivity of filler-bitumen emulsion), Strain Sweep (SS) tests, Temperature-Frequency Sweep (TFS) tests, Time Sweep (TS) tests, and Linear Amplitude Sweep (LAS) tests were conducted on the CBE binder and the prepared mastics. Results show that the rheological performance and the fatigue damage resistance depend not only on the filler inclusions but also on filler type and chemistry. On this basis, the rise in complex shear modulus and the decrease in the viscous component is associated with a significant enhancement in fatigue performance for specific fillers. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Characterization of Innovative Asphalt Materials for Use in Pavement Design and Analysis)

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22 pages, 7617 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Towards the Use of Waste Pig Fat as a Novel Potential Bio-Based Rejuvenator for Recycled Asphalt Pavement

by Nader Nciri, Taesub Shin, Namho Kim, Arnaud Caron, Hanen Ben Ismail and Namjun Cho

Materials 2020, 13(4), 1002; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma13041002 - 23 Feb 2020

Cited by 29 | Viewed by 4381

Abstract

This article presents a novel potential bio-based rejuvenator derived from waste pig fat (WPF) for use in recycled asphalt applications. To achieve this purpose, the impact of different doses waste pig fat (e.g., 0, 3, 6, and 9 wt.% WPF) on the reclaimed asphalt pavement binder (RAP-B) performance is investigated. The unmodified and WPF-modified asphalts are characterized by means of Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), thin-layer chromatography–flame ionization detection (TLC-FID), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Physico-rheological properties of asphalt blends are assessed through Brookfield viscometer, softening point, penetration, and dynamic shear rheometer (DSR) tests. TLC-FID data highlighted that incremental WPF addition into RAP-B restored its original balance maltenes-to-asphaltenes ratio; finding which was supported by FT-IR analysis. SEM disclosed that WPF has a great compatibility with the aged asphalt. AFM observations showed that grease treatment induced a decline in surface roughness (i.e., bee structures) and a rise in friction force (i.e., para-phase dimension) of RAP binder. TGA/DSC studies revealed that the bio-modifier not only possesses an excellent thermal stability but also can substantially enhance the binder low-temperature performance. Empirical and DSR tests demonstrated that WPF improved the low-temperature performance grade of RAP-B, reduced its mixing and compaction temperatures, and noticeably boosted its fatigue cracking resistance. The rejuvenation of aged asphalt employing WPF is feasible and can be an ideal approach to recycle both of RAP and waste pig fats. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Characterization of Innovative Asphalt Materials for Use in Pavement Design and Analysis)

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13 pages, 5113 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Evaluation of Graphite Nanoplatelets Influence on the Lubrication Properties of Asphalt Binders

by Tianhao Yan, Lorenzo Paolo Ingrassia, Ravi Kumar, Mugurel Turos, Francesco Canestrari, Xiaohu Lu and Mihai Marasteanu

Materials 2020, 13(3), 772; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma13030772 - 7 Feb 2020

Cited by 26 | Viewed by 3474

Abstract

With the major advance in nanotechnology, there has been an emerging interest in applying nanoscale materials to asphalt pavement materials. Among them, considerable interest has been directed to carbon-based nanomaterials, such as carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and graphite nanoplatelets (GNPs). Recent studies have proven that the addition of small percentages of GNPs could significantly reduce the compaction effort required to densify HMA. Viscosity measurements showed, however, that the addition of GNPs increased the viscosity of the binder. This observation pointed towards the presence of a different mechanism responsible for the reduction of compaction effort. A new test method used for lubricants and based on tribology has been recently proposed in order to characterize the lubricating behaviour of asphalt binders. In this study, the tribological characterization of an asphalt binder modified with GNPs was performed. A novel approach in which aggregate surface microtexture was simulated using rough surfaces of the testing fixtures, shows that indeed, the addition of GNPs lowers the friction coefficient and therefore, enhances the lubrication properties of the binder when mixed with mineral aggregates. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Characterization of Innovative Asphalt Materials for Use in Pavement Design and Analysis)

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13 pages, 5981 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

Analysis of Fatigue and Healing Properties of Conventional Bitumen and Bio-Binder for Road Pavements

by Elena Gaudenzi, Fabrizio Cardone, Xiaohu Lu and Francesco Canestrari

Materials 2020, 13(2), 420; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma13020420 - 16 Jan 2020

Cited by 14 | Viewed by 2981

Abstract

The analysis of fatigue behavior of bituminous binders is a complex issue due to several time-temperature dependent phenomena which interact simultaneously, such as damage accumulation, viscoelasticity, thixotropy, and healing. The present research involves rheological measurements aimed at evaluating the fatigue behavior and compares the self-healing capability of two plain bitumen and a bio-binder obtained by partially replacing one of the plain bitumen with a renewable bio-oil. Healing potential was assessed by means of an experimental approach previously implemented for modified bitumen and bituminous mastic and based on the use of a dynamic shear rheometer (DSR). The effects of some variables such as bitumen type, bio-oil addition, and aging on the healing potential of binders were taken into account. Results showed that the above-mentioned method for healing analysis is also suitable for conventional and bio-add binders. Outcomes of the experimental investigation highlight that fatigue and self-healing are mainly dependent on binder consistency and also affected by aging. Finally, the addition of bio-oil may induce even better performances in terms of healing potential compared to conventional bitumen, especially in aged condition. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Characterization of Innovative Asphalt Materials for Use in Pavement Design and Analysis)

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19 pages, 3252 KiB

Open AccessArticle

New Damage Evolution Law for Steel–Asphalt Concrete Composite Pavement Considering Wheel Load and Temperature Variation

by Xunqian Xu, Xiao Yang, Wei Huang, Hongliang Xiang and Wei Yang

Materials 2019, 12(22), 3723; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma12223723 - 11 Nov 2019

Cited by 18 | Viewed by 3040

Abstract

Epoxy asphalt (EA) concrete is widely used in constructing long-span steel bridge pavements (SBDPs). This study aims to derive a fatigue damage evolution law, conducting an experimental investigation of SBDP. First, a general theoretical form of the fatigue damage evolution law of materials is established based on the thermal motion of atoms. Then, fatigue experiments demonstrate that this evolution law well represents the known damage–life relationships of SBDP. Taking into account the experimental relationships between damage and fatigue life under symmetrical cyclic loadings with different overload amplitudes and temperature variations, a detailed damage evolution law is deduced. Finally, the role of damage accumulation is discussed on the basis of the proposed damage evolution law for the extreme situation of heavy overload and severe environments. The results show that both heavy loading and falling temperatures increase the fatigue damage of SBDP considerably. EA shows a fatigue life two to three times longer than that of modified matrix asphalt (SMA) or guss asphalt (GA). For the same thickness, EA pavement is demonstrated to be more suitable for an anti-fatigue design of large-span SBDP under high traffic flows and low temperatures. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Characterization of Innovative Asphalt Materials for Use in Pavement Design and Analysis)

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14 pages, 5425 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A Study on Physical and Rheological Properties of Rubberized Bitumen Modified by Different Methods

by Ben Zhang, Huaxin Chen, Honggang Zhang, Dongliang Kuang, Jiayu Wu and Xiaoliang Zhang

Materials 2019, 12(21), 3538; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma12213538 - 29 Oct 2019

Cited by 23 | Viewed by 2816

Abstract

Crumb rubber (CR) manufactured from waste tires used in bitumen could improve bitumen performance and reduce environmental pollution. In this work, three different modification methods, pretreatment of the CR particles (microwave activation), warm mix additive (Sasobit), and trans-polyoctenamer (TOR) were used to improve the compatibility of CR with bitumen. Moreover, two other specimens, Sasobit and microwave activated and TOR and microwave activation were fabricated, and their performance was investigated. The softening point, elastic recovery, force ductility, rotational viscosity, temperature sweep, frequency sweep, and multiple stress creep and recovery (MSCR) tests were measured to evaluate the physical and rheological properties of rubberized bitumen. The results showed that TOR improved the physical properties of rubberized bitumen significantly but had a negative effect on the viscosity. Sasobit decreased the viscosity of rubberized bitumen considerably and improved the physical properties of rubberized bitumen moderately. Microwave treatment on CR had a negative effect on the high temperature performance and elastic recoverability of rubberized bitumen, however, attributing to the degradation and devulcanization effect of microwave on CR, the viscosity of rubberized bitumen was improved. From the results of composite modification, the influence of TOR on the performance of rubberized bitumen was more obvious than that of the microwave activation treatment. Moreover, the influence of Sasobit on its performance was less than that of the microwave activation treatment. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Characterization of Innovative Asphalt Materials for Use in Pavement Design and Analysis)

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13 pages, 5565 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Physical Properties of Mineral and Recycled Aggregates Used to Mineral-Asphalt Mixtures

by Wojciech Andrzejuk, Danuta Barnat-Hunek and Jacek Góra

Materials 2019, 12(20), 3437; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma12203437 - 21 Oct 2019

Cited by 14 | Viewed by 3583

Abstract

This article presents test results and examines the possibilities of using aggregate from ceramic waste for mineral-asphalt mixtures. In addition, the mineral composition, physical and mechanical properties of aggregates from natural raw materials such as dolomite, granodiorite and waste ceramic aggregate (introduced as a partial substitute for the main aggregate) were analyzed. The shape of grains was examined by determining the shape and flatness index of aggregates, resistance to grinding and frost resistance. The tested properties have a direct impact on the durability of road surfaces. To this end, the adhesion of asphalt to the surface of the aggregates used was additionally determined. Determination of surface roughness and two-dimensional (2D) topography of tested aggregates was carried out. The aggregates microstructure examination, coupled with the energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) analysis, was conducted to determine the morphology and texture of the aggregates as well as to identify the basic chemical components. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Characterization of Innovative Asphalt Materials for Use in Pavement Design and Analysis)

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