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Multi-Scale Approach to Design Sustainable Asphalt Paving Materials

Holcombe, Evan W.
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1493805362392927

Abstract Details

2017, Master of Science (MS), Ohio University, Civil Engineering (Engineering and Technology).
The continuous use of recycled material in asphalt pavement mixtures, specifically Reclaimed Asphalt Pavement (RAP), Recycled Asphalt Shingles (RAS) and Re-Refined Engine Oil Bottoms (REOB), have developed an increasing need to further evaluate the performance of these mixtures at the micro and macro-levels, as the use of such materials reduces cost of virgin materials and energy consumption. Although asphalt binder, including recycled or additive materials, may meet a desired performance grade (PG) using macro-scale tests, they may lack critical nano-mechanical properties that largely affect long-term performance, such as adhesion and diffusive efficiency between virgin and recycled binders. These commonly overlooked properties can correlate with performance behaviors such as fatigue and low temperature cracking during field performance. This study was conducted in two major parts. Part one was performed with the intent to evaluate the nano-mechanical and blending-diffusive efficiency of toluene and trichloroethylene extracted RAP and RAS binder using tapping mode imagery and force spectroscopy using Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM). Furthermore, this study was set to correlate the findings from micro-testing to macro-scale laboratory performance tests including Semi-Circular Bending (SCB) to evaluate fatigue cracking resistance at intermediate temperatures, Asphalt Concrete Cracking Device (ACCD) to evaluate low temperature cracking and AASHTO 283 ITS to study moisture damage susceptibility of intermediate course mixtures with high RAP and RAS contents. Results showed that tear-off RAS material have a significant effect on fatigue and low temperature cracking performance, primarily at long-term aged conditions. Neither tear-off nor manufactured waste RAS binder blend well with virgin binder, whereas RAP shows a zone of blending. AFM imaging indicated all extracted RAS binder had a much rougher surface texture than RAP or virgin binders and did not contain any “bee” structures. The procedure of splitting RAP material for sampling during the volumetric mix design process has a significant effect on the optimal virgin binder content design, which in turn has a large effect on performance properties. Part two of this thesis summarizes the results of laboratory tests that were conducted to evaluate the microstructure, adhesion and other mechanical properties of asphalt binders meeting the same Performance Grade (PG) but produced using different processes and modifiers. Atomic Force Microscope (AFM) tapping mode imaging and force spectroscopy experiments were conducted on different straight run and modified asphalt binders meeting the same performance grade. In addition, Bitumen Bond Strength (BBS) and Semi-Circular Beam (SCB) tests were conducted on the different binders evaluated and mixes prepared using those binders, respectively, for comparison. The AFM images indicated that the microstructure of the modified binders was different than those of the straight run binders. The AFM force spectroscopy test results showed that binders with same PG grade could have significantly different adhesion properties. The results of the SCB tests indicated that the fatigue performance was affected by the adhesion properties of the binders evaluated. The AFM bonding energy had a very good correlation with the flexibility index parameter obtained from SCB test results. The results of this part suggests that the adhesion properties of asphalt binders should be included in their evaluation process and specifications.
Munir Nazzal, Dr. (Advisor)
176 p.
Civil Engineering; Materials Science
reclaimed asphalt pavement; recycled asphalt shingles; re-refined engine oil bottoms; atomic force microscopy; fatigue cracking; adhesion; diffusion, moisture damage; thermal cracking

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Holcombe, E. W. (2017). Multi-Scale Approach to Design Sustainable Asphalt Paving Materials [Master's thesis, Ohio University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1493805362392927

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Holcombe, Evan. Multi-Scale Approach to Design Sustainable Asphalt Paving Materials. 2017. Ohio University, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1493805362392927.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Holcombe, Evan. "Multi-Scale Approach to Design Sustainable Asphalt Paving Materials." Master's thesis, Ohio University, 2017. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1493805362392927

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

ohiou1493805362392927
304
© 2017, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by Ohio University and OhioLINK.