Evaluation of moisture characteristics of warm mix asphalt involving natural zeolite

Abstract

In last decades, warm mix asphalt (WMA) has become a significant alternative paving technology to hot mix asphalt (HMA), due to the relatively low temperatures required to heat asphalt during production and placement, minimising environmental damage while maintaining the advantages of HMA. However, low production and placement temperatures may result moisture-induced damage of asphalts. The objective of this study was to evaluate the moisture susceptibility characteristics of asphalts containing natural zeolite and its comparison with synthetic zeolite, organic, and chemical WMA additives. The stripping properties and moisture susceptibility characteristics of the specimens have been evaluated by means of the Nicholson stripping test and modified Lottman test, respectively.

Keywords:

• warm mix asphalt
• moisture susceptibility
• natural zeolite
• synthetic zeolite
• organic WMA additive
• chemical WMA additive

Acknowledgement

This research was sponsored by the Scientific and Technical Research Council of Turkey (TUBITAK) under the project number 110M567 for which the authors are greatly indebted.