Moisture Susceptibility Assessment of Aggregate and Asphalt Binders
摘要
Moisture-induced damage significantly impacts the durability of asphalt pavement. It leads to premature failures such as stripping, cracking, and rutting due to loss of adhesion between the asphalt binder and aggregates. This study evaluates adhesion between asphalt binders and aggregates to assess moisture susceptibility. The test methods adopted in this study include the Direct Adhesion Test using a Pneumatic Adhesion Tensile Testing Instrument (PATTI) and a modified Texas Boiling Test (TBT). To ensure consistent and objective evaluation, a MATLAB-based internally developed image processing tool was utilized for TBT data analysis. Additionally, the study explores how an anti-stripping agent (ASA) affects moisture resistance. Three Performance Grade (PG) binders from two Arkansas Department of Transportation (ARDOT)-approved sources were evaluated in the laboratory. Further, two PG binders modified with an amine-based ASA and two other binders recovered from plant-produced asphalt mixtures were tested. Limestone and sandstone aggregates were selected to examine the effect of mineralogy on moisture resistance. Test results revealed that sandstone exhibited better adhesion under dry conditions due to its porous structure. Limestone exhibited superior asphalt retention following the boiling process. The ASA improved adhesion with limestone but had mixed results with sandstone. A weak positive correlation was observed between binder viscosity and adhesion strength. The study suggests that a TBT asphalt retention of no less than 60% and a bond strength ratio of 0.2 or higher are necessary to ensure adequate resistance to moisture. The results confirm that TBT and PATTI tests are reliable tools for assessing moisture susceptibility in asphalt pavements.