Optimising the dosage of bio-rejuvenators in asphalt recycling: A rejuvenation index based approach

Hu, Yongping; Ryan, Jack; Sreeram, Anand; Allanson, Max; Pasandín, Ana R.; Zhou, Lu; Singh, Bhupendra; Wang, Haopeng; Airey, Gordon D.

Abstract

While significant research efforts have been devoted to the rejuvenation of aged bitumen using bio-rejuvenators, a universally recognised approach for dosage optimisation is still yet to be established. Aiming to develop standardised methods to determine the optimal dosages of six types of bio-rejuvenators, this study validated the use of a rheology-based rejuvenation index as a potential universal method. Rheological properties of rejuvenated binders, determined through frequency sweep tests, multiple stress creep and recovery tests, linear amplitude sweep tests, and bending beam rheometer (BBR) tests were carried out with the properties of virgin binder as reference targets. The results indicated that the applied rheology-based rejuvenation index is a feasible approach. This index can ensure improved low- and intermediate-temperature (fatigue) performance of aged bitumen while maintaining high-temperature performance within acceptable limits. Further characterisation of the binders by Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis suggested that the bio-rejuvenation processes will commonly only involve physical softening rather than a chemical reversal of ageing. Therefore, the use of chemistry-based indices is likely not feasible.

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: May 21, 2024
• Online Publication Date: May 24, 2024
• Publication Date: Jun 28, 2024
• Deposit Date: May 24, 2024
• Publicly Available Date: May 24, 2024
• Journal: Construction and Building Materials
• Print ISSN: 0950-0618
• Electronic ISSN: 1879-0526
• Publisher: Elsevier
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 433
• Article Number: 136761
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2024.136761
• Keywords: Bitumen; Rejuvenation; Dosage; Fatigue; Rheology; FTIR
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/35159000
• Publisher URL: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0950061824019032?via%3Dihub
• Additional Information: This article is maintained by: Elsevier; Article Title: Optimising the dosage of bio-rejuvenators in asphalt recycling: A rejuvenation index based approach; Journal Title: Construction and Building Materials; CrossRef DOI link to publisher maintained version: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2024.136761; Content Type: article; Copyright: © 2024 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Ltd.