Abstract
This paper proposes using the master-curve band (MCB) to incorporate the unavoidable measurement errors and modeling uncertainty into the bitumen master-curve construction. In general, the rheological property of bitumen within the linear viscoelastic region is characterized by the master curve of modulus and/or phase angle, provided that the bitumen complies with the time-temperature superposition principle (TTSP). However, the master-curve construction is essentially a mathematical fitting process regardless of whether or not the original data is perfect enough to fit. For this reason, the MCB was introduced to consider the uncertainty information instead of a single master curve. Rheological data of four kinds of bitumen including unaged and aged bitumen were used to construct the MCBs. The results indicated that the generalized sigmoidal model showed the widest master-curve band, followed by Christensen-Anderson-Marasteanu (CAM) and CAM ( G g ) models. The width of MCB was a useful tool to identify the sensitivity of bitumen to rheological models. The sensitivity of bitumen to rheological models is associated with the number of active parameters in rheological models and model parameters’ confidence intervals. The construction of an MCB was beneficial to select the rheological models. Accordingly, the CAM ( G g ) model is proved to be the best to analyze the aging effects.
Highlights
Most of the distresses that occur in asphaltic pavements are associated with the binder phase in asphalt mixtures, such as adhesion failure [1, 2], cohesion failure within bitumen [3], fatigue failure [4, 5], and permanent deformation [6]
The rheological properties of bitumen are conventionally represented by two primary parameters, which are complex shear modulus (G∗) and phase angle (δ) measured through the dynamic shear rheometer (DSR)
This study proposed a method to consider the uncertainty that exists in mastercurve construction by extending a master curve to a mastercurve band (MCB). e MCB has the following potential advantages compared with the master curve: (1) the uncertainty information is included in the master-curve band; (2) the sensitivity of bitumen to the rheological model can be quantitatively featured; and (3) the MCB can help select appropriate rheological models to study the aging or modification effect
Summary
Most of the distresses that occur in asphaltic pavements are associated with the binder phase in asphalt mixtures, such as adhesion failure (moisture damage) [1, 2], cohesion failure within bitumen (cracking) [3], fatigue failure [4, 5], and permanent deformation (rutting) [6]. Carswell et al [23] discussed testing protocols that might cause measurement variation: temperature control, sample geometry, sample preparation, equipment calibration, linear range, and so forth. Erefore, the variation of shift factors usually depends on the rheological model selection In this case, unavoidable uncertainty mainly rests on the measurement error, model variation, and fitting variation. Based on the above analysis, finding an approach that incorporates uncertainty information into the master curve could benefit a more accurate estimation of bitumen rheological properties. For this reason, this study proposed a method to consider the uncertainty that exists in mastercurve construction by extending a master curve to a mastercurve band (MCB). This study proposed a method to consider the uncertainty that exists in mastercurve construction by extending a master curve to a mastercurve band (MCB). e MCB has the following potential advantages compared with the master curve: (1) the uncertainty information is included in the master-curve band; (2) the sensitivity of bitumen to the rheological model can be quantitatively featured; and (3) the MCB can help select appropriate rheological models to study the aging or modification effect
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