This study presents a finite element (FE) micromechanical modelling approach for the simulation of linear and damage-coupled viscoelastic behaviour of asphalt mixture. Asphalt mixture is a composite material of graded aggregates bound with mastic (asphalt and fine aggregates). The microstructural model of asphalt mixture incorporates an equivalent lattice network structure whereby intergranular...

This study investigated the effect of high asphalt binder replacement for a low N-design asphalt mixture including RAP and RAS on performance indicators such as permanent deformation, fracture, fatigue potentials, and stiffness, was studied. An experimental program included complex modulus, fracture, overlay reflective cracking resistance, wheel track permanent deformations, and push-pull fatig...

The objective of this study is to review existing literature in the area of nano-modification of asphalt and proceed to apply nano-materials to asphalt to improve the performance. This study integrates literature review, preparation, and characterization of nano-modified asphalt materials. In the experimental testing montmorillonite, nanoclay at 2% and 4% by weight of asphalt was blended in asp...

Language: English The Challenge At the outset the asphalt paving process seems to be simple. Trucks deliver hot mix asphalt from plants to the construction site. There the asphalt is loaded on asphalt pavers that evenly spread the asphalt. Finally, compactors compact the asphalt to its required density. Despite this relatively structured process our research shows that there are significant dis...

BACKGROUND Asphalt workers are exposed to bitumen fume and vapour, and to exhaust from engines and passing traffic. AIMS To assess the occurrence of respiratory symptoms and signs of airflow limitations in a group of asphalt workers. METHODS All 64 asphalt workers and a reference group of 195 outdoor construction workers from the same company participated in a cross-sectional study. Spirome...

We report on dry asphalt roads acting as 'mayfly traps'; that is, they lure swarming, mating and egg-laying mayflies in large numbers. To explain this surprising behaviour, we performed multiple-choice experiments with Ephemeroptera in the field, and measured and compared the reflection-polarization characteristics of an asphalt road and a mountain creek from which mayflies emerge. We show here...

Rutting is one of the major distresses in the flexible pavements, which is heavily influenced by the asphalt mixtures properties at high temperatures. There are several methods for the characterization of the rutting resistance of asphalt mixtures. Flow number is one of the most important parameters that can be used for the evaluation of rutting. The flow number is measured by the dynamic creep...

The National Center for Asphalt Technology (NCAT) completed a roundrobin study in March to determine the accuracy and precision of the NCAT asphalt content tester. The Center has conducted research since 1990 to develop this test method for determining asphalt content of hot mix asphalt (HMA) mixtures by ignition (See the fall, 1994, issue of Asphalt Technology News). In the ignition method, a ...

This work aims to improve the rutting and fatigue cracking resistance of asphalt binders using selected nanoor micro-sized materials and to shed light on the microstructure changes induced by such modification to asphalt binders. The four modifiers (Nanomer I.44P, carbon microfiber, non-modified nanoclay and polymer modified nanoclay) were added into the control asphalt binder (PG 58-34). The S...

This paper characterizes the effects of artificial short term aging in the laboratory on the rheological properties of virgin 80/100 penetration grade asphalt binder. After several years in service, asphalt mixture started to deteriorate due to aging. Aging is a complex physico-chemical phenomenon that influences asphalt binder rheological properties causing a deterioration in asphalt mixture p...