Creep and Fatigue Performance of Partial Vapor Conditioned Asphalt Binder

Abstract

Films of asphalt binders were prepared and partially vapor-conditioned in enclosed chambers at 25% Relative Humidity (RH), 49%RH, and 71%RH. Creep nanoindentation tests were performed on the partial vapor-conditioned asphalt film samples. The creep nanoindentation data were fitted using Burgers model. The Burgers model showed that the elasticity of the asphalt binder increases and viscosity decreases with the increase of RH%. Creep nanoindentation test data is used to understand fatigue performance of asphalt binder at the partial vapor conditioned situation. Finite Element Method (FEM) models are developed to examine the fatigue performance of the asphalt binder. Simulations are run using the spring and dashpot elements of Burgers model as the FEM inputs. Fatigue simulation indicates that an increase in binder viscosity would reduce permanent deformation in the asphalt binder.