Abstract
The construction of suitable roads in rainy areas has created problems in the construction process due to the low resistance of asphalt to moisture. To solve this problem, materials are commonly used that make mixtures resistant to moisture; however, these materials may reduce the dynamic resistance of asphalt. Therefore, materials should be used that, in addition to increasing the dynamic resistance, also increase the moisture resistance of asphalt mixtures. One of these materials used in this research is steel wool fiber (SWF), which in addition to creating conductive roads also could have a significant effect on moisture resistance. In this study, the impact of 2%, 4%, 6%, 8%, and 10% SWF on the Marshall stability and moisture sensitivity of mixtures was investigated using the Marshall stability and indirect tensile strength (ITS) tests, respectively. Moreover, using SWF as a conductive fiber, the conductivity properties of asphalt mixtures were explored to find the optimal amount of electrical conductivity. The results of the Marshall stability test indicated that by increasing SWF contents, the stability of mixtures increased, compared with the base sample, and greater amounts of 6% SWF resulted in the reduction of the Marshall stability. The results of ITS showed that modification of bitumen by SWF increased ITS and tensile strength ratio (TSR) amounts of mixtures. 6% SWF was the optimal amount for enhancing the resistance of asphalt mixtures to moisture sensitivity. The results of the electrical resistivity test showed that the resistivity had three phases: high resistivity, transit, and low resistivity. Mixtures containing less than 4% SWF illustrated an insulating behavior, with electrical resistivity greater than 7.62 × 108 Ω . m . At the transit phase, the resistivity of mixtures had a sharp reduction from 7.62 × 108 Ω . m to 6.17 × 104 Ω . m . Finally, 8% SWF was known as the optimal content for the electrical conductivity of mixtures.
Highlights
Damage caused by moisture is one of the prevalent failures in asphalt pavements
By increasing steel wool fiber (SWF) contents, results demonstrated that the Marshall stability enhanced up to 14.12 KN that is the maximum amount for samples containing 6% SWF
An increase in SWF content resulted in the reduction of stability of mixtures under compressive stresses, which could be related to the increment in bitumen viscosity in the presence of SWF
Summary
Damage caused by moisture is one of the prevalent failures in asphalt pavements. E durability of asphalt pavements is affected by these damages because bitumen tends to be stripped from the surface of aggregates and causes aggregates to become bitumen-free. Creating small cracks in asphalt pavements causes bigger damages. It is possible theoretically to repair cracks in the pavement by adding conductive fibers, enhancing its conductivity in order to enhance its self-healing degree [7]. Erefore, this study aims to indicate how the asphalt mixture conductivity and Advances in Civil Engineering moisture resistance change by adding various amounts of conductive material. Erefore, it is important to study the effect of conductive fibers on the simultaneous improvement of asphalt behaviors such as moisture performance and conductivity properties Some studies indicated that the conductivity of asphalt mixtures depends on the amount of conductive fibers used and an excessive amount of conductive materials can result in the degeneration of the asphalt mixture characteristics [20]. erefore, it is important to study the effect of conductive fibers on the simultaneous improvement of asphalt behaviors such as moisture performance and conductivity properties
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