Study into the laboratory simulation of asphalt mixtures ageing: the influence of temperature, time and pressure

Abstract

This article studies the phenomenon of ageing in asphalt mixtures, considering the impact of temperature, time and pressure via laboratory techniques, compared with roadway samples. In particular, the ageing of two mixtures was analysed, manufactured with a high voids content and with two different modified binders (SBS polymer and crumb rubber), while comparing results with those obtained for cores from a highway using similar mixtures in surface layer . The stiffness and fatigue cracking life of the mixtures were assessed, after different ageing periods at diverse temperature and pressure levels. Results demonstrated that the laboratory ageing simulation of asphalt mixtures strongly depended on the studied parameters. Long ageing periods (in this study 9 days) at a high temperature (135°C for the cases analysed in this paper) was required in order to reproduce a marked ageing impact, while providing the ability to differentiate the susceptibility of ageing of different materials.

KEYWORDS:

• Ageing
• asphalt mixture
• modified bitumen
• fatigue cracking

Disclosure statement

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