Effect of Ultraviolet Aging on Composition, Structure and Properties of Asphalt

Abstract

Asphalt aging is a pivotal factor affecting the service performance of asphalt pavement. Previous studies often ignored the influence of ultraviolet radiation on asphalt aging. Coincidentally, there is no standard test method of photooxidation aging that can be applied to guide engineering practice. In this paper, the influence of ultraviolet aging on the composition, structure and properties of asphalt was studied by adopting Bert four-component method, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy aned dynamic shear rheometer. Bert four-component method elaborates that the content of asphaltene increases and the content of aromatic component decreases after UV aging. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy indicates that there are obvious peaks of carbonyl and sulfoxide groups after aging, the penetration of asphalt decreases while the softening point and viscosity increase. Moreover, the composite modulus of asphalt increases obviously at low temperature, but has little effect on the composite modulus at high temperature.