Multiscale Characterization of Wax-Doped Asphalt Binder

This paper investigates the effect of wax-additive as a known warm mix additive on the properties of asphalt binder. A comprehensive laboratory investigation combined with computational analysis was performed on an unaged liquid asphalt binder doped with four different percentages (1%, 3%, 5%, and 10%) paraffin wax. For each wax-modified asphalt binder, rheological and fracture properties were studied at different temperatures. A rotational viscometer was used to determine viscosity at specific shear rate. A dynamic shear rheometer was used to investigate effect of wax on high and intermediate asphalt binders' performance by generating complex modulus master curves. Furthermore, crossover temperature was calculated for each scenario to track the transition temperature from a viscous to elastic behavior. To further investigate the effect of wax on molecular conformation of binder, a molecular simulation was performed on the wax-asphaltene complex to study changes in the interactions of asphaltene (an asphalt component most influencing bituminous binder rheology). The results of molecular simulations shed light on interaction mechanism underlying the rheological changes showing a reduction in self-association of asphaltene molecules as the amount of wax increased in the wax-asphaltene matrix. Accordingly, simulations results combined with laboratory characterization contributed to understanding of the effects of presence of wax on asphalt rheological properties.

• Supplemental Notes:
  • This paper was sponsored by TRB committee AFK20 Standing Committee on Asphalt Binders. Alternate title: Multi-Scale Characterization of Wax-Doped Asphalt Binder.
• Corporate Authors:

  Transportation Research Board

  500 Fifth Street, NW
  Washington, DC  United States  20001
• Authors:
  • Samieadel, Alireza
  • Oldham, Daniel
  • Fini, Elham H
• Conference:
  • Transportation Research Board 96th Annual Meeting
  • Location: Washington DC, United States
  • Date: 2017-1-8 to 2017-1-12
• Date: 2017

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Digital/other
• Features: Figures; References; Tables;
• Pagination: 17p
• Monograph Title: TRB 96th Annual Meeting Compendium of Papers

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Asphaltene; Bituminous binders; Fracture properties; Rheological properties; Warm mix paving mixtures; Waxes
• Uncontrolled Terms: Molecular dynamics
• Subject Areas: Highways; Materials; Pavements;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01626232
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: 17-05898
• Files: TRIS, TRB, ATRI
• Created Date: Feb 19 2017 5:12PM