Development and Characterization of a Plant-based Bio-Additive for Asphalt Binder

In recent years, major initiatives have been taken to replace non-renewable materials with environmentally friendly and sustainable ones. The present study was undertaken to apply a scalable process for laboratory production of cellulose nanofibers (CNF) and to evaluate the feasibility of using the produced CNF as a sustainable plant-based asphalt additive to improve the mechanical properties and durability of asphalt pavements. CNF was produced in the laboratory by applying an electrospinning technique to achieve this goal. Structure, morphology, and the size distribution of the produced CNF were evaluated using scan electron microscopy. Also, tensile strength tests in two perpendicular directions were conducted on lab-produced CNF. The effect of incorporating different amounts of CNF in three types of asphalt binders, PG 58-28, PG 64-34, and PG 70-28, on fracture energy and dynamic viscosity of binder blends were evaluated by conducting Izod impact and rotational viscometer tests, respectively. Additionally, the effect of CNF dosage in the binder on its adhesion and moisture-induced debonding potential of three different mineralogy aggregates was evaluated by conducting a binder bond strength test. Furthermore, the effect of incorporating CNF in asphalt mixes on their cracking, rutting, and moisture-induced damage potential was evaluated by conducting semi-circular bend, Hamburg wheel tracking, and tensile strength ratio tests. The tests conducted on asphalt binders and mixes revealed that incorporation of CNF resulted in an overall improvement in binder-aggregates adhesion, an asphalt binder with a higher fracture energy and dynamic viscosity, and an asphalt mix with a higher resistance to rutting, cracking, and moisture-induced damage.

• Record URL:
  • https://www.ugpti.org/resources/reports/details.php?id=1193
• Record URL:
  • https://rosap.ntl.bts.gov/view/dot/78444
• Summary URL:
  • https://rosap.ntl.bts.gov/view/dot/78445
• Supplemental Notes:
  • This document was sponsored by the U.S. Department of Transportation, University Transportation Centers Program.
• Corporate Authors:

  South Dakota State University, Brookings

  Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering
  P.O. Box 2219
  Brookings, SD  United States  57007

  Mountain-Plains Consortium

  North Dakota State University
  Fargo, ND  United States  58108

  Office of the Assistant Secretary for Research and Technology

  University Transportation Centers Program
  Department of Transportation
  Washington, DC  United States  20590
• Authors:
  • Ghabchi, Rouzbeh
  • Castro, Marco Paulo Pereira
• Publication Date: 2024-8

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Digital/other
• Edition: Final Report
• Features: Figures; Photos; References; Tables;
• Pagination: 61p

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Additives; Asphalt pavements; Binder content; Durability; Mix design; Plants; Tensile strength; Viscosity; Waste products (Materials)
• Subject Areas: Highways; Materials; Pavements;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01936911
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: MPC-575, MPC 24-544
• Files: UTC, NTL, TRIS, USDOT
• Created Date: Nov 15 2024 9:47AM