Characterization of Asphalt Binders Exposed to Extreme Temperatures Through Simple and Effective Test Methods

Temperatures in the lower 48 states are projected to increase about 2.3C (4.1F) by 2050 relative to 2010 according to the NCHRP Report, "Climate Change, Extreme Weather Events and the Highway System: A Practitioner's Guide". As average temperatures increase, so will extremes. Consequently, the extreme climate/temperature-based performance grading (PG) of polymer modified asphalt binders will be affected. The polymer characterization in a modified asphalt binder is currently performed by PG Plus tests (e.g., force ductility test, AASHTO T300). However, force ductility, elastic recovery and some other PG Plus tests are time and material consuming processes. The results are subject to reproducibility difficulties and methods are mostly empirical. Therefore, there is a need for better methods. The main objective of this research is to develop a simple and dynamic shear rheometer based test method that can be used as an alternative to PG Plus tests (elastic recovery and force ductility) to accurately determine high temperature performance of asphalt materials. Toward meeting the objective of this study, asphalt binders from different sources in the southern plains region will be collected for mechanistic evaluation. Further, binders will be recovered from reclaimed asphalt pavement and tested in the laboratory. In particular, multiple stress creep recovery (MSCR) and extensional rheometer tests will be conducted on asphalt binder samples. Research outcomes will include MSCR guidelines for the southern plains states and a new laboratory test method for polymer network characterization in extreme temperature asphaltic materials. The guidelines will provide guidance regarding the use of combined shear and extensional rheology platform to replace the ductilometer based force ductility test (AASHTO T300). This new method is expected to save cost by significantly reducing test time and sample size. Implementable specifications for commonly used extreme temperature asphaltic materials will be developed for immediate implementation or DOT's internal pilot projects.

Language

• English

Project

• Status: Active
• Funding: $460393.00
• Contract Numbers:

  DTRT13-G-UTC36

  SPTC 14.1-80

• Sponsor Organizations:

  Silver Star Construction Company

  2401 S. Broadway Street
  Moore, Oklahoma  United States  73160

  Oklahoma Department of Transportation

  200 NE 21st Street
  Oklahoma City, OK  United States  73105

  Haskell-Lemon Construction

  3800 S.W. 10th
  Oklahoma City, OK  United States  73108

  Arkansas State Highway and Transportation Department

  Planning and Research Division
  10324 Interstate 30
  Little Rock, Arkansas  United States  72209

  Louisiana Transportation Research Center

  4101 Gourrier Avenue
  Baton Rouge, LA  United States  70808

  Research and Innovative Technology Administration

  University Transportation Centers Program
  1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
  Washington, DC  United States  20590
• Performing Organizations:

  Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge

  Civil & Environmental Engineering Department
  3418A Patrick Taylor Hall
  Baton Rouge, Louisiana  United States  70803

  University of Oklahoma, Norman

  School of Civil Engineering and Environmental Science
  202 West Boyd Street, Room 334
  Norman, OK  United States  73019

  Arkansas State University, State University

  Department of Engineering, P.O. Drawer 1740
  State University, AR  United States  72467-1740

  Louisiana Tech University, Ruston

  P.O. Box 10348
  600 Dan Reneau Drive
  Ruston, Louisiana  United States  71272-0046
• Principal Investigators:

  Mohammad, Louay

  Ghabchi, Rouzbeh

  Hossain, Zahid

  Wasiuddin, Nazimuddin

• Start Date: 20141001
• Expected Completion Date: 0
• Actual Completion Date: 20160930
• Source Data: RiP Project 38045

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Asphalt pavements; Binders; Climate change; Creep; Polymer asphalt; Temperature; Test procedures
• Uncontrolled Terms: Performance grade
• Subject Areas: Highways; Maintenance and Preservation; Pavements; I30: Materials;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01543446
• Record Type: Research project
• Source Agency: Southern Plains Transportation Center
• Contract Numbers: DTRT13-G-UTC36, SPTC 14.1-80
• Files: UTC, RiP
• Created Date: Nov 15 2014 1:00AM