A study of the effects of pavement ageing on binder deterioration

Abstract

This paper discusses the ageing of asphalt binder of long-term pavement performance (LTPP) sites in Southeast Queensland. The effects of pavement age on binder deterioration were examined by performing ‘Shell’ sliding plate micro-viscometer laboratory tests in accordance with Australian and New Zealand Standard AS/NZS 2341.5: 1997. The tests were carried out on bituminous core samples obtained from the LTPP sites to determine the apparent viscosity of the asphalt binder. A binder deterioration model (BDM) was developed by establishing a relationship between the apparent viscosities of the binder with pavement age. The apparent viscosity data generated using the BDM were compared with that computed using the bitumen hardening model developed by Oliver (2003). The two models show a consistent trend in the binder deterioration, and the results were analysed statistically using regression analysis, Root Mean Square Error and t-test methods. The t-test shows that the data generated by the BDM have no significant deviation from the prediction by Oliver's model.

Keywords::

• ageing of asphalt binder
• apparent viscosity
• long-term pavement performance
• distress viscosity
• sprayed seal

Acknowledgements

The authors wish to thank Queensland Department Transport and Main Roads (TMR), Gold Coast City Council, Logan City Council, Redland City Council and Southern Regional Road Group-Road Alliance for providing research grant for the study.

Notes

^1. Email: [email protected]

^2. Email: [email protected]

^3. Email: [email protected]