Performance characteristics of asphalt binders modified with sunflower flour: A sustainable application of renewable resource derived material

Abstract

The interest in utilization of renewable resources derived materials (RRDM) for the modification of asphalt binders has been increasing for the last few years. This study aims to investigate the effect of a novel material i.e. sunflower flour (SF) on rheological characteristics of asphalt binders for their possible future application in pavement and building construction. The literature on RRDM modified asphalt binders does not provide guidelines about SF compatibility with binders. In this study the SF was varied as 0, 1, 2.5, 5, 7.5 and 10% by the weight of binders. The rolling thin film oven (RTFO) and pressure aging vessel (PAV) were used for aging of binders. The binders were assessed by rotational viscometer (RV), dynamic shear rheometer (DSR), bending beam rheometer (BBR) and storage stability testing. The SF addition to binders showed improvement in properties of binders like viscosity, softening point, viscosity-temperature susceptibility (VTS), flash and fire points, and complex shear modulus. Rheological properties of binders were observed optimum at 5% SF addition. The interaction of optimum SF dosage with asphalt binders was studied by employing optical microscopy, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) tests. The Superpave, Glover-Rowe parameters, Cole-Cole and black space diagrams, master curve, the viscoelastic continuum damage (VECD) model and multiple stress creep recovery (MSCR) criteria were used to analyze the results. FTIR results showed the condensation reaction of SF with binders. The SF addition in binders improved rutting parameter and high temperature resistance. The MSCR results indicated an improved behavior of SF modified binders against shear strain. The addition of SF decreased non recoverable creep compliance (Jnr) and increased the recovery (R) of binders.