Laboratory Evaluation on the Performance Degradation of Styrene-Butadiene-Styrene-Modified Asphalt Mixture Reinforced with Basalt Fiber under Freeze–Thaw Cycles

Abstract

This paper aims at the freeze–thaw (F-T) cycles resistance of styrene-butadiene-styrene (SBS) modified asphalt mixture reinforced with basalt fiber in order to explore the performance evaluation and prediction of asphalt mixtures at seasonal frozen regions. Asphalt was firstly modified by the common SBS and then SBS-modified stone mastic asphalt (SMA) specimens with basalt fiber were prepared by using Superpave gyratory compaction (SGC) method. Next, asphalt mixture specimens processed by 0–21 F-T cycles were adopted for the high-temperature compression test, low-temperature splitting test and indirect tensile stiffness modulus test. Meanwhile, a three-dimensional model of F-T damage evolution of the mixtures was also established based on the reliability and damage theory. The test results showed that the loss rates of mechanical strength increased rapidly, and then gradually flattened; however, these indications changed significantly after 15–18 F-T cycles. In addition, the exponential function could reflect the variation trend of the mechanical performances with F-T cycles to a certain degree. The damage evolution and prediction model based on the reliability and damage theory can be established to analyze the internal degradation law better.

Establishment of Complex Modulus Master Curves Based on Generalized Sigmoidal Model for Freeze–Thaw Resistance Evaluation of Basalt Fiber-Modified Asphalt Mixtures

“…In order to better simulate the actual pavement construction, the SGC method was selected to prepare asphalt mixtures with basalt fiber in this study. The detailed procedure of specimen preparation has been described including proportions of basalt fiber and SBS, mixing process, mixing speed and duration, and the set SGC parameters can be found in previous studies [ 7 , 8 , 41 ]. As shown in Figure 2 , asphalt mixture specimens were first manufactured following the SGC method.…”

“…After that, before the performance test, samples were treated by 0–21 F–T cycles, respectively. The detailed procedure of F–T cycle processing for specimens has been described in the previous study [ 41 ]. Then, the complex modulus test was conducted under sinusoidal (haversine) compressive loadings at five temperatures and six frequencies from the lowest to highest temperature [ 45 ].…”

“…Furthermore, they analyzed logistic F–T damage models of bituminous mixes and established a multi-variable gray model [ 40 ]. Cheng et al [ 41 ] established a damage evolution of the mechanical performance of bituminous mixes exposed to repeated F–T actions through reliability and damage theory and predicted and analyzed its internal damage degradation. Badeli et al [ 42 ] explored the influences of F–T actions on the fatigue cracking of bituminous mixes considering seasonal ambient temperature variations.…”

Master Curve Establishment and Complex Modulus Evaluation of SBS-Modified Asphalt Mixture Reinforced with Basalt Fiber Based on Generalized Sigmoidal Model

“…Furthermore, they analyzed logistic F-T damage models of asphalt mixtures and established a multi-variable grey model [34]. Cheng et al [35] established a damage evolution of the mechanical performance of asphalt mixtures exposed to repeated F-T actions through reliability and damage theory, and predicted and analyzed its internal damage degradation. Tarefder et al [36] analyzed the influences of F-T action on asphalt materials using several experimental methods on fatigue and rheometer.…”

Study on Viscoelastic Properties of Asphalt Mixtures Incorporating SBS Polymer and Basalt Fiber under Freeze–Thaw Cycles

“…Cheng et al [ 39 ] made an overall assessment of the mechanical properties of asphalt mixtures with basalt fiber and analyzed the improvement impact of F-T resistance based on volumetric and mechanical parameters [ 40 ]. Cheng et al [ 41 ] established a damage evolution of the mechanical performance of asphalt mixtures exposed to repeated F-T actions through reliability and damage theory and predicted and analyzed its internal damage degradation. Badeli et al [ 42 ] explored the influences of F-T actions on the fatigue cracking of asphalt mixtures considering seasonal ambient temperature variations.…”