Laboratory evaluation of the performance of asphalt mixtures containing biomass fillers

Abstract

Asphalt mixtures performance is influenced by its components. Mastic properties and interaction between of filler and bitumen control viscoelastic properties of asphalt mixture. In this research, asphalt mixtures performance containing biomass fillers (Rice Husk Ash (RHA) and Wood Saw Ash (SA)) was evaluated. For this purpose, Marshall stability, Indirect tensile strength, Moisture sensitivity and resilient modulus tests were used. To study more about biomass particles and to have a better analysis of the results of tests, the biomass fillers were photographed by X-ray diffraction. The results of tests show that the combination of 75 per cent RHA and 25 per cent limestone (LS) caused greater Marshall Stability and lower moisture sensitivity compared to the sample containing 100% LS filler, and the combination of 25 per cent SA and 75 per cent LS shows the best tensile performance. Therefore, it is expected that replacing the biomass fillers not only protect the environment and natural resources but also can achieve mixtures with better performance.

Keywords:

• biomass
• rice husk ash
• wood sawdust ash
• filler
• mastic

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by Babol Noshirvani University of Technology.