Abstract
To clarify the intrinsic relationship between the mechanical properties of asphalt and its fraction composition, the SARA fraction composition and six macroscopic mechanical properties (critical cracking temperature (TCR), fatigue life (Nf), non-recoverable creep (Jnr3.2), penetration, ductility, and softening point) were investigated for 16 asphalt samples. Fraction contents of asphaltene and aromatic are strongly correlated with TCR and ductility (R2 > 0.92) that characterize the ability of asphalt to adapt to deformation at low and medium temperatures. Heavy fraction (asphaltene and resins) content is also strongly correlated with (R2 > 0.90) penetration and Jnr3.2 that characterize the resistance of the asphalt to overall deformation at medium and high temperatures. To express the changes in the four fractions simultaneously with one indicator, a statistic, average deviation of the fractions between the given asphalt and its original (marked σ), is introduced in this study to characterize the degree of asphalt aging based on the fraction changes. It normalizes the four simultaneous change indicators (percentage of SARA fractions) during asphalt aging into one indicator. This new indicator has a strong correlation with several mechanical performance indicators of asphalt, where it is strongly correlated with TCR (R2 > 0.90), ductility, and penetration, which are also well correlated with Jnr3.2 (R2 > 0.85), Nf (R2 > 0.75), and softening point (R2 > 0.75).
Highlights
The asphalt binder is the residue from petroleum refining and has been used as a modern road material for 200 years owing to its suitable viscoelastic behavior
The top two bar graphs present the composition of the control asphalt original asphalt (OA) and RA, where 24.7% of the aromatic and saturated were transferred to the asphaltene and resins during the aging process
This study investigates the correlation between the distribution of asphalt fractions and mechanical indicators, especially the current commonly used rheological indicators, of 16 asphalt samples originating from the same asphalt; they have widely varying fraction compositions, and the following important conclusions are drawn:
Summary
The asphalt binder is the residue from petroleum refining and has been used as a modern road material for 200 years owing to its suitable viscoelastic behavior. A quality asphalt binder is expected to have sufficient toughness, adaptability to deformation at low temperatures [1], sufficient modulus, and elastic recovery at high temperatures [2]. Subtle differences in crude oil origin, refining procedures, additives, and other factors can affect these mechanical properties. The basis for the differences in the external mechanical properties of asphalt is the difference in its internal chemical composition [4]. Scholars have sought to understand the fractions of the compounds that make up asphalt binders to redesign their entire structure [5] and to regulate their external mechanical properties [6] to produce asphalt binders that can be used in various complex environments [7]
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