Properties of Portland cement-modified asphalt binder using Superpave tests

Abstract

This study investigates the effect of cement additive on some properties of asphalt binder using Superpave testing methods. Six cement-to-asphalt (C/A) ratios were considered in the study: 0.05, 0.10, 0.15, 0.20, 0.25 and 0.30 by volume of asphalt binder. The experimental tests that were conducted in the study included the Superpave rotational viscosity (RV) test and the dynamic shear rheometer (DSR) test. The RV test was conducted at the Superpave-specified high temperature of 135 °C that represents the average mixing and laydown temperature, and at seven different rotational speeds of 5, 10, 20, 30, 50, 60, and 100 rpm. On the other hand, the DSR test was conducted at four test temperatures of 58, 64, 70, and 76 °C; one lower and two higher than the Superpave high performance grade (PG) temperature of the asphalt binder used in the study (PG 64). The loading frequency used in the DSR test was 10 rad/s (1.59 Hz) as specified by the Superpave system. Results of the study showed that the addition of Portland cement to asphalt binders increased the rotational viscosity (RV) of asphalt binders at 135 °C and different rotational speeds. The C/A ratio of 0.15 was found to be the optimum ratio that achieved a balanced increase in the rotational viscosity and the value of the DSR G */sin δ rutting parameter of asphalt binders. The C/A ratio had insignificant effects on the Newtonian behavior, the phase angle ( δ), and the elastic behavior of asphalt binders. The increase in C/A ratio increased the stiffness of asphalt binders represented by the complex shear modulus ( G *) value. The increase in the C/A ratio improved the rutting parameter, G */sin δ value, at all temperatures. The increase in C/A ratio improved the Superpave high PG temperature (the high temperature at which the asphalt binder passed the Superpave criteria for G */sin δ value). It was also shown that the best function that described the relationship between each of RV, G *, and G */sin δ and the C/A ratio was the exponential function with high coefficient of determination ( R 2).