Study on UV aging characteristics of low-grade asphalt in the Desert Climate

Abstract The Taklamakan Desert in China's Xinjiang region faces severe heat conditions that cause rutting asphalt pavements. In order to combat this issue, local construction management has been advo-cating for the utilization of low-grade with penetration levels between 20 and 50, en-hance pavement's resistance rutting. However, there is limited research on durability under intense UV irradiation region. To end, a multiscale investigation was conducted, examining three different types (30#, 50#, 70#), various con-ditions such as virgin, aging, Pressure Aging Vessel aging. Analytical techniques Atomic Force Microscope, Gel Permeation Chromatography, Fourier Transform Infrared Spec-troscopy, Dynamic Shear Rheology, Bending Beam Rheometer were employed. results revealed surface roughness increased by 15.50% (30#), 5.99% (50#), 2.70% (70#) after compared virgin samples. Furthermore, adhesion properties lower-grade less affected Weight-average molecular weight significantly 26.96% increase 30#, 51.92% 43.76% 70# samples prior 30# higher large molecule content exhibited slower also smallest C=O S=O aging among asphalt. study found had lesser effect high- low-temperature perfor-mance asphalt, PAV Overall, effects pronounced than those 50# These findings offer valuable insights into Desert, benefiting road contractors academic community.