Behavior of Selected Warm Mix Asphalt Additive Modified Binders and Prediction of Dynamic Modulus of the Mixes

Abstract

This study evaluated the viscoelastic properties of a performance grade binder modified with different dosages of a selected wax-based warm mix asphalt (WMA) additive (WMA1). The effects of reduced rolling thin film oven (RTFO) aging on the stiffness of the WMA1-modified binder were also evaluated. The viscoelastic properties of the modified binders were then used to estimate the dynamic modulus (E*) values of the WMA mixes through time temperature superposition principles. Furthermore, the effects of a selected liquid anti-stripping agent (ASA), ASA1, on the properties of the WMA1-modified binder were investigated. It was observed that the linear viscoelastic limits of WMA1-modified binders decreased with an increasing dosage of WMA1. Reduced RTFO aging was found to have significant effects on the stiffness of the WMA1-modified binder. The Hirsch model was found to provide better approximations of the E* values than the Witczak model. The Witczak model, based on dynamic shear rheometer data, was found to significantly underestimate the E* values. Although ASA1 did not reduce the beneficial effects of WMA1, it was found to increase the E* values of the WMA mix. The findings of this study are expected to offer transportation professionals a better understanding of the evaluation of WMA binders and mixes.