Effects of the Water-Based Foaming Process on the Basic and Rheological Properties of Bitumen 70/100

Abstract

The process of water-based foaming of bitumen produces binders that can be incorporated in cold recycled asphalt mixes and pavement upper structural layers made of half-warm mix asphalt prepared at 100–130 °C. During the foaming process, cold water and air act on hot bitumen (160–170 °C), which results in the explosive vaporization of water leading to changes in the binder structure. The impact of foaming on the properties of bitumen 70/100 was evaluated by investigating the binder characteristics before and after foaming. Determination of two foaming parameters, maximum expansion and half-life, was followed by measurements of penetration at 25 °C, softening point, Fraass breaking point, and dynamic viscosity at 60, 90, and 135 °C. Rheological and low-temperature tests were also performed before and after foaming bitumen 70/100. The Bending Beam Rheometer method was applied to determine the low temperature stiffness modulus. A DHR-2 rheometer was used to determine the dynamic modulus and phase angle of the tested binder. The Black and master curves before and after foaming were plotted in the 2S2P1D model and the model parameters were analysed. Analysis of the test results confirmed the effects of the foaming process on the basic, low-temperature, and rheological characteristics of the bitumen.

Effects of Short-Term Ageing Temperature on Conventional and High-Temperature Properties of Paving-Grade Bitumen with Anti-Stripping and WMA Additives

“…In order to effectively coat the mineral mix at lower temperatures and to ensure proper workability and compactability of the resulting asphalt mixture, modifications in the production process are required. These alterations may include asphalt binder foaming [ 15 , 16 ], asphalt binder additives and binder fluxing [ 17 , 18 ] asphalt mix additives [ 19 , 20 , 21 , 22 , 23 ], and their combinations [ 14 , 15 , 24 , 25 ].…”

Effects of Laboratory Ageing on the FTIR Measurements of Water-Foamed Bio-Fluxed Asphalt Binders

“…The commonly used methods for producing warm-mix asphalt include the utilization of proprietary techniques and additives (e.g., liquid and solid warm mix additives) [ 5 , 6 , 7 ], asphalt binder foaming using zeolite and other water-bearing minerals [ 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 ], direct water injection [ 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 ] and use of bio-based fluxing agents [ 17 , 18 , 19 , 20 , 21 ]. In the recent years techniques enabling production of half-warm mix asphalt mixtures have also gained significant attention [ 22 , 23 , 24 ].…”

Characterization of Hot-Applied Joint Sealants and Their Components in Terms of Their Chemical Composition and Basic Performance Properties

“…In pavement engineering, various technological solutions are used in the field of asphalt modification, and the use of additives for mineral and asphalt mixtures depends on their purpose in the road surface construction, the environmental conditions, and the proecological requirements [7][8][9][10]. The use of neat asphalt binders in crack sealants provides a cheap solution for the maintenance of cracking pavements; however, such formulations are prone to debonding and poor low-or high-temperature performance, depending on the grade of the base asphalt binder.…”