Mechanical performance and statistical analysis of natural and synthetic zeolite-warm mix asphalt as a function of compaction efforts

Abstract

The compaction effort of mixes should be studied with caution since it significantly influences the mixtures' performance. A laboratory evaluation of warm mix asphalt (WMA) including synthetic zeolite (SZ) and natural zeolite (NZ) was conducted in this study. Marshall properties, tensile strength ratio, indirect tensile strengths at 25 and 60 °C, resilient modulus at 25 °C, and creep compliances at 40 °C were all examined. The NZ and SZ binders were produced by mixing one base binder (40/50 penetration grade) with 5% NZ and SZ binder components by weight. The 90 specimens were produced using the Marshall compactor at three different compaction efforts (35, 50, and 75 blows/face). Statistical analysis was conducted to examine the behavior and outcomes of asphalt binders. The results showed that (1) Both NZWMA and SZWMA combinations require 35 blows/face compaction effort to meet the minimum criteria of 8 kN stability, 2–4 mm flow, 85% tensile strength ratio, 14% VMA, and 448 kPa unconditioned tensile strength; (2) The production of NZWMA mixtures saves more time and fuel in the field than SZWMA mixtures while meeting the Marshall properties, creep performance, and moisture susceptibility at 35 blows/face compaction effort; and (3) A general trend of the Marshall, creep compliance, tensile strength, and resilient modulus performance as a function of compaction effort was observed for the NZWMA and SZWMA mixes used in this study.