Replacing Fossil Fuel-Based Asphalt Binder with Sustainable Lignin Binder from Wastes
With an increased focus on renewable energy nationally, the availability of fossil fuel-based asphalt binders will become an issue. Consequently, asphalt materials costs are expected to rise significantly in the future. Also, fossil fuel-based binders are detrimental to the environment. In this study, the multi-institutional research team will use an agricultural waste-based binder to partially replace fossil fuel-based binders. The PIs have recently found that a 6% replacement of fossil fuel-derived binder with a sustainably sourced binder can improve the high-temperature performance grade, long-term aging index, and resistance to rutting and cracking performance. In that study, lignin samples from local Louisiana sources, specifically lignin from a paper mill, sugar cane bagasse, and rice husks (hulls), were tested in asphalt binders up to a 6% replacement. However, that study did not include UV oxidation, low-temperature flexibility, and moisture sensitivity that are important to pavement performance. The goal of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of using more than 6% lignin from different sources in asphalt binders as a sustainable and renewable paving material to partially replace (up to 30%) fossil fuel-based binders. Also, the performance of asphalt mixes with lignin-based binder and Reclaimed Asphalt Pavement (RAP) will be investigated using a balanced mix design (BMD) approach. The proposed research will consist of six tasks split between the partner institutions. Task 1 (LTU lead) will examine the production of lignin from local waste sources for replacement of traditional asphalt binder. Task 2 (LTU lead) will involve incorporation of the derived lignin into binder blends at levels ranging from 8% to 35%. Task 3 (LTU lead) includes the evaluation of the rheological and chemical properties of binder blends. Task 4 (OU and LSU co-lead) will consist of the collection of aggregates and preparation of control mixes. The OU team will focus on developing BMD using the lignin binder blend and RAP. The LSU team will focus on the advanced characterization of mix fatigue and moisture-induced damage performance. Task 5 (OU lead) will include the evaluation of the performance of asphalt mixes with lignin binder blend and RAP relative to rutting, cracking, and moisture-induced damage. Task 6 (LSU lead) will include advanced laboratory characterization of asphalt mixes with the lignin binder blend to measure cracking behavior and moisture susceptibility.
Language
- English
Project
- Status: Completed
- Funding: $184933
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Contract Numbers:
69A3552348306
CY1-LTU-OU-LSU-01
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Sponsor Organizations:
Office of the Assistant Secretary for Research and Technology
University Transportation Centers Program
Department of Transportation
Washington, DC United States 20590 -
Managing Organizations:
Southern Plains Transportation Center
University of Oklahoma
202 W Boyd St, Room 213A
Norman, OK United States 73019 -
Project Managers:
Dunn, Denise
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Performing Organizations:
Louisiana Tech University, Ruston
Ruston, LA United States 71272University of Oklahoma, Norman
School of Civil Engineering and Environmental Science
202 West Boyd Street, Room 334
Norman, OK United States 73019 3660G Patrick F. Taylor Hall
Civil and Environmental Engineering
Baton Rouge, LA United States 70803 -
Principal Investigators:
Lynam, Joan
Ali, Syed Ashik
Elseifi, Mostafa
Wasiuddin, Nazimuddin
Hobson, Kenneth
- Start Date: 20231001
- Expected Completion Date: 20250115
- Actual Completion Date: 20251101
- USDOT Program: University Transportation Centers
Subject/Index Terms
- TRT Terms: Asphalt mixtures; Binders; Lignin; Mix design; Pavement performance; Reclaimed asphalt pavements; Waste products (Materials)
- Subject Areas: Design; Highways; Materials; Pavements;
Filing Info
- Accession Number: 01899348
- Record Type: Research project
- Source Agency: Southern Plains Transportation Center
- Contract Numbers: 69A3552348306, CY1-LTU-OU-LSU-01
- Files: UTC, RIP
- Created Date: Nov 15 2023 5:17PM