Laboratory Investigation of the Effect of Ceramic Fiber on Stone Matrix Asphalt Rutting Performance

Abstract

Rutting is one of the most important distresses in asphalt mixed pavement. As for flexible pavements, stone matrix asphalt is the best option for reducing this failure despite its demerits, e.g., the risk of draining down and fat spots. There are several ways to decrease rutting potential, including by the use of fiber as asphalt binder modifier or asphalt mixture additive. Accordingly, in this study, the rheological and mechanical properties of asphalt binder and stone-matrix asphalt were examined at different percentages of ceramic fibers as an asphalt binder modifier. A rolling thin-film oven test was conducted to simulate the short-term aging of asphalt binder and obtain a binder that has reliable similarity to binders found in the field. Also, a dynamic creep test was performed at 40°C and 60°C at two stress levels (100 and 300 kPa), and a dynamic shear rheometer test was conducted at 58°C, 64°C, 70°C, and 76°C. The results revealed that the use of 3% and 5% ceramic fibers results in the best performance in terms of reducing the potential of rutting in stone-matrix asphalt. The results obtained in terms of the rheological properties of asphalt binder based on the dynamic shear rheometer test also showed that the incorporation of ceramic fibers increased the rutting parameter (G*/sinδ) of asphalt binder. Moreover, the results of statistical tests indicated that the use of ceramic fibers up to 3% in all the utilized stone-matrix asphalt samples improved the performance against rutting.