Research on the impact of mineral type and bitumen ageing process on asphalt-mineral adhesion performance based on molecular dynamics simulation method

Abstract

ABSTRACT The chemical compositions of asphalt and mineral type are always related to interface adhesion performance, and further affect the field performance of asphalt mixture. This study aims to evaluate the effects of mineral type as well as bitumen types experiencing different ageing process on the adhesion property of interface. Adhesion energy and adhesion work of different bitumen and mineral combinations were calculated in dry or wet condition. Results show that different asphalt ageing mechanisms have significantly different effects on bitumen–mineral interface adhesion performance. Interfacial adhesion work increases with the increase of asphaltene and resin fractions in bitumen. Both sulfoxide and ketone can effectively improve the interface adhesion between bitumen and mineral. Water adversely affects the adhesion of asphalt–mineral interface. Calcite-bitumen has excellent resistance to water stripping for lower adhesion work loss rate than quartz-bitumen combination no matter what SARA or chemical structure of bitumen.