Investigation of the properties and technologies of epoxy asphalt concrete preparation with the addition of fiber from fly ash of thermal power plants

Abstract

Slowly curingepoxy asphalt concrete has high physical properties and low sensitivity to temperature changes, which allows ituse as a road surface on a rigid base. However, a negative property of epoxy asphalt concrete is the ability to gain strength over a long period of operation. The epoxy-asphalt concrete really gains its initial strength in a relatively short time, but the feature of classic epoxy asphalt concrete is their subsequent set of strength, which in winter at negative temperatures can lead to the destruction of the matrix during movement and negatively affect the performance of both the road and the cars. To solve this problem, optimum types of modifying additives for changing bitumen properties and their possible use in epoxy asphalt concrete were considered. Changes in the structure of bitumen with fibre were investigated by the IR spectroscopy method; the dependence of bitumen penetration on temperature, as well as the mide and the amount of additives, influencing the bitumen plasticity were studied. Adhesive characteristics of bitumen at different temperatures were also determined. A directed change in the properties of bitumen in asphalt concrete is the most effective way to increase the performance and durability of road surfaces.

Keywords:

• Coal combustion product
• asphalt concrete properties
• finely dispersed material
• modifying additives
• epoxy resins

Acknowledgements

The authors gratefully acknowledge the financial support from the Science and Technology Department of Ningxia, the Scientific Research Fund of North Minzu University (No. 2020KYQD40) and China Scholarship Council under Grant (No. 202008100027, No. 202108100024).

Disclosure statement

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

Additional information

Funding

This research project was supported by funding from the Science and Technology Department of Ningxia, the Scientific Research Fund of North Minzu University (No. 2020KYQD40) and China Scholarship Council (No. 202008100027 and No. 202108100024).