Bitumen Emulsion Research Articles

Performance Evaluation of Hybrid Fibers and Nano-zeolite Modified Asphalt Micro-surfacing

Abstract Micro-surfacing is a cationic mixture for reparation and maintenance of asphalt pavement and contains polymer-modified bitumen emulsion, 100 % manufactured well-graded fine aggregate, mineral filler, water, and chemical additives. The object of this study was to extend the lifespan of a Micro-surfacing mixture against traffic loads to obtain a higher performance asphalt mixture using different additives, including Diatomite filler, nano-zeolite, styrene butadiene rubber, and glass fiber. To evaluate the performance of the mixtures, a variety of experimental tests, including the abrasion test (International Slurry Surfacing Association [ISSA] TB 100), adhesion test (ISSA TB109), and Wet Cohesion test (ISSA TB139) and Scanning Electron Microscopy, were conducted to classify Micro-surfacing quality control against traffic loads. Cohesion test results showed that adding 2 % nano-zeolite and 4 % polypropylene increased loading resistance up to 25 % (Quick Set and Quick Traffic). In addition, using 10 % of Diatomite improved abrasion resistance. It is worth noting that with an increasing dosage of asphalt emulsion, the effect of the additives will also increase. Moreover, adding 0.26 % of glass fiber in the mixtures increased bleeding resistance around 14 %.

Effect of Superplasticizer and Wetting Agent on Pavement Properties of Cold Recycled Mixture with Bitumen Emulsion and Cement

AbstractCold recycled mixtures with bitumen emulsion and cement (CRMEC) are an environment-friendly and economic recycling technology in pavement rehabilitation. The low tensile strength and relati...

THE PROPERTIES OF LATERITE SOILS AS THEY AFFECTS THE STABILITY OF BITUMEN STABILISED BRICKS

The purpose of this study is to determine the properties of laterite soil and how they affect the stability of bitumen stabilized bricks. The samples for the study were disturbed samples sourced in seven locations in Adamawa State. Each sample weigh 20kg transported to the laboratory for tests. The tests conducted include: Sieve Analysis, sedimentation Test, Liquid Limit Test, Plastic Limit Test, Activity Ratio, Free Swell Test and Optimum Moisture Content Test. Three research questions guided the study and the findings of the study include; that the samples shows increase percentage smaller or less than 63 microns sizes, which indicate that the samples are more of silt and clay particles. The properties of the laterite soils taken for the study include; liquid limit ranging from 35-49, plasticity index from 11-14 percent, the activity ratio ranges from 1.0-1.4, and free swell test shows less than 100 percent. One of the recommendations made was that, Laterite soil stabilization should precede a study of the particles size distribution to ensure that the categories of the Laterite soil can bland with the bitumen emulsion to envelop the particles for the purpose of preventing moisture movement in the bricks.

Interfacial Activity of Bitumen Components

AbstractThe interfacial activity of asphaltenes, naphthenic acids, and naphthenates has been amply studied in the literature, as they are involved in the formation and stabilization of bitumen and heavy crude oil emulsions. While most of the literature evaluates one component at a time, in this work these bitumen components were separated one at a time from Athabasca bitumen, and the surface activity of the resulting fraction was evaluated as a function of pH, solvent aromaticity (heptane/toluene mixtures, known as heptol, at volume ratios 50/50 and 80/20), and temperature for selected systems. The interfacial activity was evaluated in two ways: via dynamic interfacial tension during adsorption on a bitumen drop of constant volume, and via dynamic interfacial tension during drop volume cycling. The adsorption data were interpreted using a model that combined multicomponent adsorption kinetics inspired by Langmuir–Freundlich kinetics with the Fainerman surface equation of state. The volume cycling experiments were interpreted using the compression relaxation model, which segregates adsorption/relaxation effects from elastic phenomena at interfaces. Overall, the adsorption data confirmed that naphthenic acids are the fastest adsorbing species that tend to dominate the interface, but that asphaltenes adsorb, almost irreversibly, at longer time scales and likely forming a sublayer previously proposed in the literature. The dilatational elasticity of the interface seems to be highly influenced by that asphaltene sublayer, which softens at high pH at room temperature, or at 80 °C independently of the pH of the system.

Activity of fly ash as an indicator of their modifying ability

The article shows the possibility of using fly ash as an active component of binders of various compositions used in the design of composites for road construction purposes. This study was conducted on the basis of the data on the distribution and concentration of acid-base centers on the surface, sorption capacity, specific surface area, and morphological features of dispersed particles of technogenic raw materials. The study substantiates the feasibility of using ashes as a modifying component of low-calcium composites for inorganic binders (cement) due to the high pozzolanic activity, high-calcium composites for organic binders (bitumen emulsions) due to “inertness” and surface smoothness.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging of drying bitumen emulsions

From Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) measurements allowing to distinguish separately the density distribution of the two phases of the system, we show that bitumen emulsions essentially dry homogeneously, with nevertheless a slight concentration gradient increasing towards the sample free surface exposed to air. Remarkably, despite the resulting large concentration of bitumen droplets formed around the free surface of the sample, the bitumen droplets do not coalesce before the very last stages of drying. In parallel the drying rate strongly and continuously decreases, which is attributed to the reduction of the hydraulic network connected to the sample free surface.

Evaluating the rutting resistance for half warm bituminous emulsion mixtures comprising ordinary portland cement and polymer

Comparison of Cold Mix Asphalt (CMA) technology to traditional Hot Mix Asphalt (HMA) technology, reveals that the first has several advantages in terms of economic, eco-friendly, safety and sustainability. A promising development of CMA technology is Cold Bituminous Emulsion Mixtures (CBEMs). Unfortunately, some characteristics of this technology are still in development need; namely high porosity, long curing time and low early strength. Half Warm Bitumen Emulsion Mixture (HWBEM) was introduced in previous attempt, as a treated CBEMs with optimum heating temperature being less than 100 °C. This work focuses on treating the CBEMs with low heat energy technique (i.e., microwave heating), plus two types of admixtures; Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC) and acrylic (AR) polymer. The effect of low energy heating (i.e., microwave heating) on developed CBEMs characteristics is tested. Acrylic (AR) polymer was utilized in percentages of 1.25, 2.5, 3.75 and 5% of the residual bitumen. The developed mixtures of HWBEM is tested statically by Marshall and dynamically by Wheel track parameters. The results reveal that the HWBEM with OPC and 1.25% AR, showed better deformation resistance roundly 81 times with vital development in its mechanical and volumetric properties comparable to traditional HMA. Therefore, low energy heating and polymer treatment sustain the new promising paving technology called HWBEM.

Mechanical characterization of asphalt mixes inter-layer bonding based on reptation theory

A bituminous pavement is composed of several layers. The bonding of the interfaces between these layers is essential to ensure the durability of the pavement structure. Un-bonded interfaces can cause early deterioration of the surface courses due to the poor distribution of mechanical loads induce by the traffic onto the base-layers. The bonding between asphalt layers depends on several parameters such as the laying temperature, the use or not of bitumen emulsions to bond the interfaces. Bonding is usually characterized by shear, tensile or torsion tests. This paper focuses on the effects of loading rate, test temperature, specimens’ size and emulsion content on the shear strength evaluated through the shear and tensile tests. In part 1, the shear bond test (SBT) and tensile adhesive test (TAT) were firstly performed on two-layered specimens bonded or not with emulsion. Their diameters were 100 or 150 mm. The tests were carried out at 50 mm.min-1 and 20 °C to evaluate the laying conditions (laying temperature, use or not of emulsion). These results were then compared to those of one-layer specimens without interface. The results of part 1 investigations showed that: i) the shear strengths of small samples are 1.3 times higher than that of big specimens, ii) the shear strength resulting from different laying conditions can be classified, from the highest to the lowest, as follows: hot on hot (H/H) bonding, hot on cold (H/C) bonding with emulsion C69B2 and hot on cold (H/C) bonding without emulsion, iii) the failure strengths of TAT are 2.2 times lower than those of SBT. In part 2, the SBT was performed on two-layered specimens of 100 mm in diameter at three loading rates (0.5, 5, 50 mm.min-1) and test temperatures (−10 °C, 5 °C, 20 °C). In this second test series, 250 and 500 g.m-2 of bitumen emulsion C69B2 and styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR) polymer emulsion were used to bond the interfaces. Based on these results the master curves of shear strength were built based on the frequency-temperature superposition principle (FTSP). Furthermore, an explanation of the interfaces bonding mechanism based on the bitumens’ macromolecules chains mobility across the interface is proposed. This interpretation required the introduction of some interface bonding parameters: the degree of intimate Dic contact, the degree of healing Dh and the degree of bonding Db. Finally, the master curves of the degree of healing and degree of bonding were also built based on the frequency-temperature superposition principle (FTSP).

Investigation on Properties of Cement Bitumen Emulsion Mortars (CBEM) in Consideration of Emulsifier Types

In order to investigate the influences of emulsifier types on properties of cement bitumen emulsion mortars (CBEM), anionic and cationic emulsifiers were used to prepare CBEM in this work. Influences of anionic and cationic bitumen emulsions on workability, mechanical properties, and viscoelastic property of CBEM were studied. The workability of CBEM was evaluated by fluidity and extensibility tests. The mechanical properties were assessed by compressive strength and flexural strength tests. XRD was used to analyze the phase before and after bitumen emulsion was added. The viscoelastic property was studied by a dynamic mechanical analyzer (DMA). The results show that CBEM prepared by cationic bitumen emulsion (CBE) has better workability. The mechanical properties of CBEM are negatively affected by bitumen emulsion. The impact on the compressive strength of CBEM prepared by CBE is higher. Bitumen emulsion can significantly improve the viscoelastic property of CBEM. With the increase of bitumen emulsion dosage, the loss factor of CBEM increases. The viscoelastic property at low frequency is better than that at high frequency. In contrast to CBEM prepared by CBE, CBEM prepared with anionic bitumen emulsion (ABE) possesses better viscoelastic property.

Case study on soil stabilization by using bitumen emulsions – A review

Abstract The foundation is very important and has to be strong enough to support the entire structure. In order for the foundation to be strong, the soil around it plays a very critical role. So we need to have proper knowledge about their properties and factors which affect their behaviour to work with soil. The process of soil stabilisation helps to achieve the required properties in a soil needed for the type of construction work. Pavements are a conglomeration of materials. These materials, their associated properties, and their interactions determine the properties of the resultant pavement. Thus, a good understanding of these materials, how they are characterized, and how they perform is fundamental to understanding pavement. The materials which are used in the construction of highway are of intense interest to the highway engineer. This requires not only a thorough understanding of the soil and aggregate properties which affect pavement stability and durability, but also the binding materials which may be added to improve these pavement features. Soil is used sub base and base materials, if strength of the soil is poor, then the stabilization is needed. Subgrade is sometimes stabilized or replaced with stronger soil. There are some numerous stabilizers used for stabilization the soil such as lime, cement, bitumen, fly ash etc. In this paper bitumen as stabilizer. Bitumen emulsion is the costly material in any type of construction. So its amount will play crucial role in the stabilization of the soil. It increases the stability of the soil mechanically and it does not react with the soil. It just fills the pores of the soil.

Development of sustainable jute geotextiles by bitumen emulsion and polyester resin: Effect of gamma radiation

Jute fibers can be an alternative solution to replace synthetic fibers for temporary sustainable geotextiles applications. To produce sustainable geotextiles, jute fabrics were treated first by bitumen emulsion (BE) and unsaturated polyester (UPE) resin then γ-radiation (2.5, 5, and 10 kGy doses) applied to increase its durability and performance. The resulting samples were J0 (raw jute), J1 (20% BE + 10% UPE), and J2 (30% BE + 10% UPE). It was revealed that γ-irradiation significantly decreased the moisture sensitivity and water absorbency. Tensile strength (TS) improved at 2.5 and 5 kGy doses of irradiation and then decreased at 10 kGy in both directions. The highest increase of TS found for 5 kGy dose in both directions of J1 (27.1% in warp and 27.7% in weft) and J2 (16.0% in warp and 23.8% in weft). After 120 days of soil burial test, biodegradation occurred for all the specimens except 2.5 kGy irradiated sample which retained its TS, however, TS dropped remarkably such as 71.9% and 85.1% in warp and weft directions, respectively for J1 sample, and 90.7% and 94.1% in warp and weft directions, respectively for J2 sample. Antimicrobial resistance of jute fabrics was assessed against gram-positive S. aureus and gram-negative E. coli bacteria. Further, FTIR, thermogravimetric analysis, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were also investigated in this study.

СВОЙСТВА ТОПЛИВНЫХ ЗОЛ РАЗЛИЧНЫХ ТИПОВ КАК КОМПОНЕНТОВ БИТУМНОЙ ЭМУЛЬСИИ

This paper presents the results of a study of the variability of physico-mechanical and physico-chemical properties, as well as structural features of aluminosilicate technogenic raw materials from wastes of fuel and energy enterprises in the form of various types of ashes as components of bitumen emulsions used in the composition of a hybrid binder (Portland cement - bitumen emulsion) for cement-asphalt concrete. Based on the analysis of the set of characteristics of fuel ashes, the possibility and expediency of their introduction into the composition of bitumen emulsions were determined with the aim of obtaining bitumen layers in the structure of cement-asphalt concrete, allowing to improve its operational characteristics. As a result of the analysis, the most effective diluent additive was identified among the studied technogenic raw materials, which would allow keeping its properties at the stage of introduction into the emulsion, and at the stage of forming the structure of the final composite to provide the desired properties.

Effect of portland composite cement and buton granular asphalt on indirect tensile strength of emulsified asphalt cold mix using limestone aggregate

The research is laboratory experimental purposing to analyze effects of Portland Composite Cement (PCC) and Buton Granular Asphalt (BGA) on Indirect Tensile Strength (ITS) of Emulsified Asphalt Cold Mix (EACM) using limestone aggregate. The EACM is designed as Asphalt Concrete-Wearing Course (AC-WC). The material of EACM contains emulsified asphalt CSS-1h, BGA 50/30, PCC, and Limestone Aggregate. The specimen consisted of Bitumen 8% of total weight, BGA 8% of total weight, and PCC 0%, 1.5%, and 2% of total weight. The specimen is classified into 5 groups, namely P0B0, P0B8, P1.5B8, P2B0, and P2B8. PCC is used as partial substitutions of limestones filler. BGA is used as partial substitutions of bitumen emulsion and partially substitutions of filler or and fine aggregate. The specimens of EACM having 101 mm in diameter and 63.5 mm in height ware tested by UTM apparatus with Horizontal Linear Variable Displacement Transducer (LVDT) 10 mm and vertical LVDT 25 mm according to ASTM D 6931 – 12. The result of this study concludes that the use of PCC and BGA increased ITS of EACM. Both P1.5B8 and P2B8 Specimens met maximal performance, where Indirect Tensile Strength of them 2.8 times ITS of P0B0.

Delivering Sustainable Solutions through Improved Mix and Structural Design Functions for Bitumen Stabilised Materials

The evolution of cold recycling using bitumen stabilisation technology has been supported by progressive research initiatives and best practice guidelines. The first generic guidelines for bitumen stabilised materials (BSMs) were published only in 2002. These guidelines provided a generic approach for the analysis of foamed bitumen and bitumen emulsion technologies. From that point, bitumen stabilisation became the common term for the inclusion of either of the two bituminous binders. The TG2 2nd edition guideline of 2009 took a bold step recognising the shear properties of the bitumen stabilised material (BSM) as the key performance indicators. In addition, advancements in structural design and application of BSMs provided practitioners with robust guidelines. The subsequent decade has provided an opportunity to interrogate data from more than 300 BSM mix designs and 69 LTPP sections. The data have led to research developments including significant new performance properties of BSMs, refined mix design methods, and updated new pavement design methods. This includes an entire design process that has been updated with a streamlined mix design procedure and a new frontier curve for the pavement number design method, as well as a new mechanistic design function. It is anticipated that the research findings and implementation of the newly developed technology will lead to improved application in BSM technology.

Performance of Waterborne Epoxy Emulsion Sand Fog Seal as a Preventive Pavement Maintenance Method: From Laboratory to Field

To preserve the existing asphalt pavement and extend its service life, various preventive maintenance methods, such as chip seal, slurry seal, fog seal, and microsurfacing, have been commonly applied. Sand fog seal is one of such maintenance methods, which is based on the application of bitumen emulsion and sand. Thus, its performance is largely dependent on the properties of the bitumen emulsion and sand. This study aims to develop an improved sand fog seal method by using waterborne epoxy resin as an emulsion modifier. To this end, both laboratory tests and field trials were conducted. In the laboratory, the wet track abrasion and British pendulum test were performed to determine the optimum sand size for the sand fog seal, and the rubbing test was carried out to evaluate the wearing resistance of the sealing material. In the field, pavement surface regularity before and after the sand fog seal application was measured using the 3 m straightedge method, and the surface macrotexture and skid resistance were evaluated with the sand patch method and British pendulum test, respectively. The laboratory test results indicated that the optimum sand size range is 0.45–0.9 mm, and the sand fog seal with waterborne epoxy resin showed good wearing resistance and skid resistance. The field test results verified that both the pavement texture and skid resistance were substantially improved after sand fog sealing.

Tuning Ionic Liquids for Simultaneous Dilution and Demulsification of Water-In-Bitumen Emulsions at Ambient Temperature

Summary Thermal and flotation processes are widely used to produce bitumen from oil sand in Alberta. However, bitumen contains many surface-active components that tend to form water-in-oil (w/o) emulsion stabilized by fines and/or asphaltenes. Although several demulsifiers have been proposed in the literature to treat such emulsions, these chemicals are sometimes not effective. We propose ionic liquids (ILs) whose composition has been designed to enable effective treatment of these emulsions. Different ILs were synthesized and tested for their efficiency in treating bitumen emulsion obtained from a field in Alberta. ILs tested are mixtures of organic bases (primary and tertiary amines) with oleic acid. Mixtures of ILs and bitumen emulsion were prepared at several mass ratios. The two components were mixed under ambient conditions. After mixing, segregation of different components in the mixture was accelerated by centrifugation for rapid assessment of the degree of emulsion breaking. Optical microscopy, rheology, thermal gravimetric analysis, and viscosity measurements were used to assess the effect of ILs on bitumen emulsions. The first set of ILs with primary amine cations of different alkyl chain lengths (N-butylammonium oleate, N-octylammonium oleate) were able to separate the water from the emulsion. However, these ILs tended to form gels when mixed with water. The IL prepared from a tertiary amine with short alkyl chain length, triethylammonium oleate, also formed a gel with water. The number and length of alkyl chains proved critical for avoiding gel formation. ILs with tertiary amine cations of longer alkyl chain lengths (tri-N-butylammonium oleate and tri-N-octylammonium oleate) were immiscible with the separated water and did not gel. These ILs were very efficient in diluting and demulsifying bitumen emulsion. The emulsion droplet sizes increased upon addition of the IL. The IL mixes into the bitumen phase released from the emulsion, yielding a viscosity at an ambient temperature close to the pipeline specifications. This work demonstrates that ILs can be tailored to break bitumen emulsions effectively without heat input. The process developed in this paper can replace current practice for the demulsification and dilution of bitumen emulsions, which requires the emulsion to be heated significantly. Hence the IL process reduces the heat requirements and hence greenhouse gas emissions.

Formulation of Emulsified Modification Bitumen from Industrial Wastes

The aim of this research was to characterize and analyze the formulation of emulsified modification bitumen (EMB) as well as the industrial wastes used in the formulation. Bitumen being a non-renewable product with severe environmental issues arising lately led to the use of industrial wastes such as plastic and recycled base oil in this research. Physical characteristic studies were performed to analyze the decomposition temperature, boiling point, flash point, density, moisture content, element content in waste plastics, and flowability of bitumen emulsion. Eight ratios of modified bitumen were formulated and compared with the industrial grade bitumen. The modified bitumen with a penetration value of 103 mm and softening value at 49 °C was chosen for the emulsification process where three emulsifiers were added into the mixture of bitumen and water. These samples were compared with the industrial bitumen emulsion. From the analysis, the formulated emulsion was obtained from a mixture consists of 20% bitumen, 7% polymer, and 73% recycled base oil.

Slurry surfacing: a review of definitions, descriptions and current practices

Cold bitumen emulsions (CBE) are currently used worldwide for both non-structural (cold surface treatments) and structural (cold bituminous mixtures) paving applications. Among non-structural applications, bituminous slurry surfacings (BSS) allow to improve surface properties and extend the pavement’s life. However, selection of constituents, mix design, application and quality control procedures for BSS are mostly based on local experience and empirical tests. Thus, the use of BSS is associated to higher technical risks with respect to the use of traditional hot-mix technologies.
 In this context the RILEM Technical Committee 280-CBE TG2 “Multiphase characterisation of cold bitumen emulsion materials” aims to collect worldwide theoretical knowledge and experiences on BSS and to inspire new standards, specifications and guidelines encompassing the wide set of existing practices. This paper summarizes the first part of the literature review carried out as part of the TC workplan and focuses on the definition, the description and the application method for BSS. National standards, construction specifications and best practice documents from North America, South America, Europe and Australia are analysed and compared.

Laboratory investigation on effects of microwave heating on early strength of cement bitumen emulsion mixture

Effects of microwave heating time, microwave power, water-cement ratio (W/C) and bitumen-cement ratio (B/C) on early strength of cement bitumen emulsion mixture (CBEM) were studied in this work. Environment scanning electron microscopy (ESEM) and Fourier Transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) were adopted to analyze microstructures and compositions of CBEM. The most important factors affecting CBEM strength were putting forward based on multiple linear regression analysis (MLRA) and grey correlation analysis (GCA). The results show that the total microwave energy is composed of microwave power and microwave radiation time. The higher the total microwave energy, the higher the surface temperature of CBEM. The effect of W/C on CBEM temperature is more significant than that of B/C. Microwave heating time and microwave power can evidently influence strength of CBEM. Microwave heating can promote cement hydration, which is beneficial to improve strength of CBEM. However, excessive microwave time can result in the decrease of CBEM strength. Temperature model based on MLRA can show linear correlation between different factors. Strength model shows quadratic correlation to microwave parameters. In summary, reasonable microwave heating is an effective technique to improve early strength of CBEM.

Application of Acrylate Latex Emulsion as the Binder for Coating Aluminum Substrate by Silica-Gel Powder

The adsorbent coated exchangers are the main part of adsorption refrigeration systems. Although coated exchangers are commercially available, the coating technique and the binder used are seldom revealed and left as a challenge for researchers. Dip-coating is the most commonly used coating technique. However, the variety of binders used indicates that choosing the appropriate binder is still a matter of trial-and-error. A series of experiments were performed to introduce acrylic latex emulsion (ALE) and bitumen emulsion as the new binder for coating silica-gel powder on aluminum. The results indicate coats created by both emulsion binders are stable but the bitumen emulsion keeps its stability for about 10[Formula: see text]min after mixing with water and silica-gel powder. The effect of ALE binder and water concentrations on water vapor equilibrium and desorption kinetics was investigated. The outcomes indicated that the sample containing 0.8[Formula: see text]g water/g silica-gel, 0.08[Formula: see text]g ALE binder/g silica-gel shows the fastest desorption kinetic and the minimum capacity loss. The mechanical stability of this sample was evaluated by the shear test and the pull-off test. The measured values show that the prepared laminate withstands up to 27[Formula: see text]N/cm2 shear stress and 18[Formula: see text]N/cm2 tensile stress.