RHEOLOGICAL CHARACTERIZATION OF TRANSPARENT ASPHALT MODIFIED WITH COLORING PIGMENTS

Abstract

The black asphalt is high-temperature dependent and viscoelastic in nature, which is prone to experiencing more significant rutting under vehicular loading conditions when exposed to high temperatures. In addition, the pavement temperature contributes towards urban heat island (UHI). Therefore, colored pavement surfaces could play a role in protecting asphalt pavements from excessive rutting. This study investigated the use of transparent asphalt colored with green iron pigment as an alternate asphalt for replacing traditional black asphalt. The paper studied the rheological properties of a transparent asphalt modified with 4% by weight green pigment. The experiment included the determinations of penetration values, softening point temperatures, rotational viscosity, and rutting parameters (G*/sin δ). The AASHTOW Pavement MEPDG Design software was utilized to assess the impact of using transparent and colored asphalt on the simulated rutting performance under Sharjah climate conditions. The study's findings indicated that the transparent and colored asphalt demonstrated superior rheological characteristics compared to black asphalt. The rutting parameter of colored and transparent asphalt was greater than that of the black asphalt. Finally, simulated rutting analysis showed that both transparent and colored asphalt binders exhibited better resistance against long-term rutting performance compared to black asphalt.