Estudio de laboratorio sobre utilización de zeolita natural <i>versus</i> zeolita sintética en la fabricación de mezclas semicalientes

Abstract

RESUMENLas mezclas semicalientes permiten una reducción de la temperatura de fabricación respecto a las mezclas tradicionales, mediante la modificación del proceso de producción en planta o el empleo de aditivos. En esta investigación se analiza el empleo de zeolita natural procedente de Cuba como aditivo para la fabricación de mezclas semicalientes, en comparación con el empleo de zeolitas artificiales. Para ello, a través de pruebas de estabilidad Marshall, sensibilidad al agua y módulos de rigidez se realiza un estudio comparativo. El resultado obtenido mostró un comportamiento similar entre las mezclas con zeolita natural y la sintética, resultando en ambos casos ligeramente inferior al obtenido por la mezcla patrón. Además, se evaluó la influencia de la adición de zeolita natural a la mezcla en diferentes porcentajes, como filler o como arena, obteniendo mejores resultados con la incorporación en la fracción filler.Palabras clave: mezclas asfálticas semicalientes; zeolitas; impacto ambiental; reducción de emisiones. ABSTRACTZeolite can be used as an ingredient in warm bituminous mixes to reduce manufacturing temperatures. The zeolite for this purpose is usually synthetic, but natural zeolite can also be used. The research presented in this paper analyzed the use of natural zeolite from Cuba in the form of sand and filler as an additive in warm asphalt mixes and compared it to asphalt mixes with synthetic zeolite. The mixes were given the Marshall tests, and their moisture sensitivity and stiffness modulus values were also obtained. The results showed that both types of mix had a similar performance, which was only slightly lower than that of the reference mix. The use of different dosages of natural zeolite in the mixes gave the best results when the zeolite was incorporated as filler. This study demonstrated that the use of natural zeolite is an effective way of reducing the temperature of bituminous mixes.

Evaluación del comportamiento mecánico de capas bituminosas ultra delgadas como una adecuada estrategia para la rehabilitación de pavimentos urbanos

“…Thus, the cumulative RDEC (Ratio of Dissipated Energy Change, Equation [1]) is used to analyze the development of the damage produced in the specimen, and the Mean Damage Parameter (γ) [2] is a value used to establish a reference for the resistance to fatigue cracking of the pavement (22). Where ω n is the energy dissipation produced in loading cycle n (in J/m 3 ); and ω n+1 is the energy dissipation in loading cycle n+1 (in J/m 3 ).…”

“…Over the last three decades, the volume of traffic in highway networks has notably increased (1). Nonetheless, in the field of construction engineering, sustainability issues have been of increasing concern (2).…”

Evaluation of bituminous sub-ballast manufactured at low temperatures as an alternative for the construction of more sustainable railway structures

“…The most important advantages can be summarized as a reduction of emissions; the improvement of working conditions by reducing the exposure to fuel emissions, fumes and heat; lower energy consumption; and the extension of the paving season (13,14,16,19,20). Given these advantages, its use is becoming more popular in road construction, and it has great potential for application as bituminous sub-ballast in railway tracks.…”

“…With the implementation of the Kyoto Protocol (horizon 2020) the signatory countries are undertaking measures to reduce these atmospheric emissions. Thus, to achieve these goals, there is an important role for the use of new manufacturing technologies, and in particular those that are capable of consuming less energy than those used in the production of traditional HMA whilst maintaining the in-service mechanical performance of the material (11)(12)(13)(14)(15)(16).…”

“…WMA is able to reduce the viscosity of the binder as well as the mixing and compaction temperatures by 20-30 °C, through the use of organic additives, chemical additives, and water-based or water-containing foaming processes (13)(14)(15)(16).…”