Modifying the Properties of Open-Graded Friction Course by Adding Cellulose Fiber

Abstract

In recent years, Open Graded Friction Course OGFC is becoming more common in some countries. It is applied to improve surface frictional resistance, minimize hydroplaning, reduce water spray, improve night visibility, and lower pavement noise levels. These functions are carried out primarily by removing water from the pavement surface during a period of rain. Also, it has many disadvantages which as poor resistance to permanent deformation, low fatigue strength, high stripping, and moisture susceptibility. The paper aims to investigate the probability of using Cellulose Fiber (CF) as a modifier to improve the properties of OGFC asphalt mixture. In this research, one type of asphalt grade (40-50) and one gradation (19 mm Maximum Aggregate Size MAS) were used. Three percentages of CF (2%, 4%, and 6%) were added to asphalt cement to obtain the modified mixtures. Optimum asphalt content was selected by evaluating the following criteria: air voids content, asphalt drain down, abrasion resistance, and permeability. Several laboratory tests such as Indirect Tensile Strength (ITS), moisture susceptibility, Marshall stability, and flow were evaluated for modified samples, and their results were compared to the original open-graded asphalt mixture. The outcomes indicated that cellulose fiber greatly enhanced the mechanical properties of OGFC mixtures, increasing moisture damage resistance by 19.4%. Furthermore, Marshall stability improved by 38.92 % as the abrasion loss is decreased by 15.85% with adding of CF for aged samples.