Performance deterioration of asphalt mixture exposed to salt-water-temperature-ultraviolet coupling effect

ABSTRACT

The intense ultraviolet radiation and large amount of saline-alkali soil in the Golmud region of Province, China, have deteriorated the performance of asphalt pavement. Given the effect of adverse conditions in this area, this paper investigated the collective and interaction effects of salt chemicals, air temperature, and ultraviolet radiation on asphalt and asphalt mixture through laboratory experiments under controlled conditions. In particular, using different concentrations of Na₂SO₄ and NaCl solutions, simulated salt chemicals for asphalt and asphalt mixture performance impact. The mechanism of performance deterioration of the asphalt mixture suffered from salt attack was explored. The results show that the original asphalt's storage and loss modulus are higher than the modified asphalt at different temperatures with the multi-factors effect. In addition, the modified asphalt's phase angle is 5%∼10% higher than the original asphalt below −2°C. At the same time, strength loss rates of asphalt mixture increase with the cycles and solution concentration, varying from 20%−40%. Wet-dry cycles and the concentration of salt solution are positively correlated with the deterioration of asphalt mixture strength. This research provides the durability prediction and the more reasonable composition design of the asphalt mixture applied in salt enrichment regions.

KEYWORDS:

• Asphalt mixture
• durability
• dry-wet cycle
• complex modulus
• asphalt aging
• strength loss

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the financial support from the National Natural Science Foundation of China [grant no 51608046]. Science and Technology Project of Qinghai Department of Transportation (No.2023-07).