Investigation of Hot Mix Asphalt Aging Effect on Mechanical Properties of Mixes Based on Their Binder Performance Results – Phase II

Phase II, which is suggested for Cycle 2, will concentrate on examining any possible relationships between pressured techniques and aging protocols, such as asphalt binder and mixture aging. This will entail optimizing the aging process of asphalt binder and mixtures by changing pressure and speeding up the aging process of asphalt mixtures utilizing PAV equipment. It usually takes five days for oven-aging to yield useful results. In Phase II, pressurized aging techniques will be examined to see if binder or asphalt mixture aging may produce comparable rheological and chemical outcomes more quickly.

Asphalt binder samples will be aged for a short period of time using the Rolling Thin Film Oven (RTFO) and for a longer period of time using the Pressure Aging Vessel (PAV) under both standard and modified conditions (i.e., changed pressure) in order to meet the goals of this study. In a similar manner, a pressurized aging apparatus will be used to age asphalt mixes, and the binder will be removed and recovered for additional study and comparison. After that, the aged binders will undergo frequency sweep tests with the Dynamic Shear Rheometer (DSR) to ascertain the Glover-Rowe parameter, fatigue parameter, and master curve. They will also be assessed using FTIR to identify the carbonyl and sulfoxide groups. These outcomes will be contrasted with the Phase I fatigue resistance data of recovered aged binders and aged HMA. The purpose of the study is to confirm the link between binder fatigue behavior and HMA. The results will help to improve the standards and procedures for aging asphalt mixtures and binders in the lab.