Establishment of Complex Modulus Master Curves Based on Generalized Sigmoidal Model for Freeze-Thaw Resistance Evaluation of Basalt Fiber-Modified Asphalt Mixtures.

Guojin Tan,Yong Wang,Wensheng Wang,Zhiqing Zhu,Yongchun Cheng

doi:10.3390/polym12081698

Abstract

This study aims to study the freeze–thaw (F–T) resistance of asphalt mixture incorporating styrene–butadiene–styrene (SBS) polymer and basalt fiber by using the established complex master curves of the generalized Sigmoidal model. Asphalt mixture samples incorporating styrene–butadiene–styrene (SBS) polymer and basalt fiber were manufactured following the Superpave gyratory compaction (SGC) method and coring as well as sawing. After 0–21 F–T cycles processing, a complex modulus test asphalt mixture specimen was performed to evaluate the influence of the F–T cycle. Besides, according to the time–temperature superposition principle, the master curves of a complex modulus were constructed to reflect the dynamic mechanical response in an extended range of reduced frequency at an arbitrary temperature. The results indicated that the elastic and viscous portions of asphalt mixture incorporating SBS and basalt fiber have decreased overall. It could be observed from the dynamic modulus ratio that the dynamic modulus ratios of specimens were more affected by the F–T cycle at low frequency or high temperature. Thus, in the process of asphalt pavement design and maintenance, attention should be paid to seasonal frozen asphalt pavement under low frequency and high temperature.

Highlights

As an important part of transportation infrastructure, asphalt pavement plays a significant role in social development
The results showed that polymer-modified asphalt (PMA) could be evaluated effectively using indirect tensile strength and the phase angle, but the rolling-thin film oven (RTFO) did not reflect the real field aging condition of PMA pavement
The results indicated that basalt fiber had the prime reinforcement, and SBS-modified asphalt was found to be well reinforced with fiber

Summary

Introduction

As an important part of transportation infrastructure, asphalt pavement plays a significant role in social development. With the increase of traffic demand, ordinary asphalt pavements often fail to meet the performance requirements, resulting in a few destructions including low and medium-temperature cracking, high-temperature rutting and freeze–thaw (F–T) destruction, and so on [1,2,3,4]. Various additives such as rubbers, polymers, fibers, and other additive materials have been adopted to incorporate with asphalt [5,6,7,8]. Adding fibers to asphalt mixtures usually increases the mechanical performances such as cracking resistance [10]. To improve the compressive capabilities of asphalt materials effectively, researchers have made lots of efforts and tried many novel additives

Objectives

Results

Conclusion