Final Report: Binder Rheology and Performance in Warm Mix Asphalt

Since the introduction of warm mix asphalt (WMA) in the United States, a variety of different technologies and processes have been developed and used to achieve proper mixing and compaction at reduced temperatures compared to conventional hot mix asphalt (HMA). A better understanding of the effect of WMA additives and reduced aging on the rheology of asphalt binders is a crucial step towards the successful implementation of WMA. This report presents the findings from a study conducted to investigate the influence of chemical WMA additives and reduced short-term aging on the properties of asphalt binders, mortars, and mixtures. A detailed description of the findings relevant to asphalt binders modified using warm mix additives is presented in the Interim Report. This report presents the details of the test methods and findings relevant to mortars and mixtures prepared using warm mix additives. Findings from this study indicate that certain WMA additives tend to exacerbate the reduced stiffness and early age rutting resistance in warm mix binders. The long-term aged WMA binders had similar or slightly reduced resistance to low-temperature cracking compared to conventional binders. Also, WMA with reclaimed asphalt had similar low temperature cracking resistance as compared to a similar HMA with reclaimed asphalt. Tests on asphalt mortars indicated that the WMA additives significantly affected the fatigue cracking resistance of one of the two binders. Tests on full asphalt mixtures indicate that in most cases the rutting and moisture damage resistance of WMA mixtures was similar to or less than the corresponding control HMA. Findings based on the tests conducted using asphalt mortars and asphalt mixtures were qualitatively consistent with the findings based on the tests conducted using asphalt binders.

• Record URL:
  http://www.utexas.edu/research/ctr/pdf_reports/0_6591_1.pdf
• 
• Summary URL:
  https://library.ctr.utexas.edu/dbtw-wpd/exec/dbtwpub.dll?AC=QUERY&TN=catalog&RL=1&RF=.Detail&BU=http%3A%2F%2Flibrary.ctr.utexas.edu%2Fdbtw-wpd%2Ftextbase%2Fbrowsenew.htm&QY=find+ID+%3D+30693&utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+NewestTxdotResearch+%28New+TxDOT+Research+Publications+%28Feed%29%29
• Supplemental Notes:
  • Project Title: Developing a Fundamental Understanding of the Chemistry of Warm Mix Additives. Report Date: August 2012; Published: December 2012.
• Corporate Authors:

  University of Texas, Austin

  Center for Transportation Research, 1616 Guadalupe Street
  Austin, TX  United States  78701-1255

  Texas Department of Transportation

  Research and Technology Implementation Office, P.O. Box 5080
  Austin, TX  United States  78763-5080

  Federal Highway Administration

  1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
  Washington, DC  United States  20590
• Authors:
  • Arega, Zelalem
  • Bhasin, Amit
• Publication Date: 2012-12

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Web
• Edition: Technical Report
• Features: Figures; Photos; References; Tables;
• Pagination: 52p

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Asphalt mixtures; Bituminous binders; Cracking; Low temperature; Patching mortar; Reclaimed asphalt pavements; Rheology; Rutting; Stiffness; Warm mix paving mixtures
• Subject Areas: Highways; Materials; Pavements; I31: Bituminous Binders and Materials;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01458066
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: FHWA/TX-12/0-6591-1, 0-6591-1
• Contract Numbers: Project 0-6591
• Files: TRIS, ATRI, USDOT, STATEDOT
• Created Date: Dec 31 2012 5:55PM