Exploring the Effect of Warm Additives on Fatigue Cracking of Asphalt Mixtures

Abstract

ABSTRACT A new technology “warm mix asphalt” (WMA) which will produce saving in energy and lowering emissions dealt with it has wide popularity at recent years. WMA produced by using foaming technology or reducing -viscosity additives of binder to enhance the rheological properties. In this study, organic based additives are used to minimize the viscosity and lowering the temperature of WMA production. Asphaltan A and Asphaltan B considered as organic additives produced in Germeny by Romonta Company are used to prepare WMA mixes. Bitumen is modified with these additives by adding three doses (1, 2 and 3%) by weight of asphalt. Four-point fatigue test was conducted to estimate the fatigue life, dynamic stiffness modulus, and to study the resistance of mixtures to fatigue cracking. The study showed that the organic additives have a positive impact on the behavior of warm mixtures in term of increase fatigue life. The warm mixture is superior than traditional mixture for its resistance to fatigue cracking. This result could be useful in the production of asphalt mixtures with low temperature and decrease the quantity of odour emissions.