Investigating the Aging Behavior of Asphalt Binders at Different Production Stages and During the Service Life of the Pavement

Details

• Creators:
  Elkashef, Mohamed ; Mishra, Debakanta (Deb) ; Rad, Sina Mousavi ; Olagunju, Michael ; Sadeghi, Mehdi ; Gbolade, Adeoluwa
• Corporate Creators:
  Oklahoma State University
• Corporate Contributors:
  Oklahoma. Department of Transportation. Office of Research and Implementation ; United States. Department of Transportation. Federal Highway Administration
• Subject/TRT Terms:
  Asphalt Mixtures Binders Cracking Machine Learning Material Aging Moisture Damage Performance Based Specifications Predictive Models Rutting Service Life Statistical Analysis

  More +
• Publication/ Report Number:
  FHWA-OK-26-01
• Resource Type:
  Tech Report
• Geographical Coverage:
  United States ; Oklahoma
• Edition:
  Final Report: Aug 2022 - Nov 2025
• Corporate Publisher:
  Oklahoma. Department of Transportation
• Abstract:
  This study examines how asphalt mixtures change over time and how their performance is influenced by material selection and environmental factors. Thirty-six asphalt mixes produced in Oklahoma were collected and tested to understand their behavior in terms of cracking, rutting, moisture damage, and compaction. The work focuses on how aging affects these properties, since asphalt becomes stiffer and more brittle as it ages in the field. Cracking resistance was measured using the IDEAL-CT test, and both CTIndex and its underlying parameters were analyzed before and after lab-simulated long-term oven aging. Statistical and data analysis methods were used to interpret trends, and Machine Learning models were developed to predict CTIndex from mix variables. Rutting and moisture susceptibility were evaluated using the HWT and IDT-HT tests. Binder rheology was assessed through frequency-temperature sweep testing. Results showed that long-term aging significantly reduced cracking resistance and mix variables such as NMAS, RAP content, and binder grade significantly influenced CTIndex. The Corrected Rut Depth parameter provided a clearer indication of rutting than Total Rut Depth, and an IDT-HT strength of 240 kPa is suggested as a production acceptance threshold for rutting. Freeze-thaw conditioning affected rutting and stripping of most of the mixes. These findings support performance-based mix design and help guide mixture selection for durable pavements.
• Format:
  PDF
• Funding:
  2294
• Collection(s):
  US Transportation Collection
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:9e8c3c5402f8e7897cba3e7bf39c8f831e790fe9ddc991670c9b41766b9c7570454e88419728ba052e4c25779e1383d171a7e31f9d470736715ad54625d5388e
• Download URL:
  https://rosap.ntl.bts.gov/view/dot/92750/dot_92750_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 11.07 MB ]