Correlation analysis between asphalt binder/asphalt mastic properties and dynamic modulus of asphalt mixture

Abstract

The dynamic modulus |E*| of hot-mix asphalt (HMA) mixture can reflect its temperature and frequency dependent behaviors, and it has been utilized to characterize the viscoelastic behavior of HMA mixtures. The objective of this study is to investigate the correlations between asphalt binder/asphalt mastic properties and dynamic modulus of asphalt mixture. The influence of various asphalt and aggregate parameters on the dynamic modulus master curve of asphalt mixture was investigated firstly. The applicability of asphalt binder-based |E*| prediction models (B−|E*| models) and asphalt mastic-based |E*| prediction models (M−|E*| models) was analyzed afterwards. Moreover, the correlations between the asphalt binder/mastic G* and the mixture |E*| were established. The results show that the |E*| master curve of asphalt mixture is significant affected by the type of binder and the ratio of filler to binder, but is slightly affected by the type of gradation, aggregate and filler. Among the B−|E*| models, the improved Hirsch model prediction results are most consistent to the measured value, followed by Witczak 1-40D model. Whereas, the predicted |E*| values of M−|E*| models are lower than the measured value. Both B−|E*| models and M−|E*| models perform well under the conditions of dense gradation and appropriate filler-to-binder ratio. Additionally, there is a good correlation between the asphalt/mastic G* and the mixture |E*| in logarithmic coordinates.