Study on the properties of easy-compaction and high-durability modified asphalt and mixture

ABSTRACT

In order to solve the problems of difficult compaction and poor durability of ultrathin overlays, the performance of easy-compaction and high-durability (ECHD) modified asphalt and mixtures were studied. Taking matrix asphalt and SBS modified asphalt as the control group, the high- and low-temperature rheological properties of the asphalt were analysed by MSCR and BBR. The asphalt samples were observed and analysed by fluorescence microscope and infrared spectrometer, and the road performance, compaction performance and surface functional durability of the asphalt mixture were tested. The results show that the ECHD asphalt has the best high- and low-temperature properties. The modifier particles are uniformly dispersed in the asphalt, which can form a dense network structure and a stable system. The ECHD asphalt mixture has good low temperature and water stability, and the high-temperature stability is slightly lower than that of the SBS-modified asphalt mixture, but meets the requirements of the specification. It has the smallest compaction energy index CEI, and the largest compaction rate K. Before and after wearing 30,000 times, the asphalt mixture has the best wear resistance and surface texture, and the surface functional durability is the best. This paper provides a reference for material selection of ultrathin overlays.

KEYWORDS:

• Road engineering
• modified asphalt
• rheological property
• microscopic properties
• surface function
• durability

Acknowledgements

Thanks to all those who have provided guidance and assistance for this article.

Disclosure statement

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

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by Pavement preventive maintenance research project [CQGS2020-112], Shandong Provincial Transportation Science and Technology Project (2020B34) and Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region Transportation Science and Technology Project of China [NJ-2018-23].