Viscoelastic Analysis of Asphalt Mastic Based on Micromechanics

Abstract

In this study, the stiffening effect of fillers on asphalt binders was characterized through micromechanics and rheology methods. The dynamic shear rheometer (DSR) was used to measure viscoelastic properties of asphalt mastic. Mechanical volume filling effects and additional interacting mechanisms within mastic systems are discussed on the basis of micromechanics-rheology model to predict the complex shear modulus of asphalt mastic from the measured mastic data. It is observed that the phase angle ranges from 88.8o to 89.0o, does not significantly change due to limestone fillers addition. The analytical model prediction of complex shear modulus based on the dynamic shear modulus can be used. Using the nonlinear regression, the Einstein coefficient KE is 4.22, 5.09 and 7.44 for asphalt mixed with limestone, cement and hydrated lime, respectively. Beside, the SEM results explain why the mastic system with hydrated lime shows the highest KE. The behavior of hydrated lime fillers filled mastics is probably due to physico–chemical interaction, which can be validated by further research.