Mechanistic-Empirical Properties and Long-Term Potential of Warm Mix with Cecabase

Abstract

The production, laying, and storage of asphalt mixtures is one of the primary causes of pollution from activities associated with road infrastructure. Lowering the manufacturing temperature of bituminous mixes without impairing or lowering their mechanical performance is necessary for the cleaner production of these mixes. The asphalt paving industry is always looking for technologies to improve the material’s performance, increase construction efficiency, save resources, and promote environmental responsibility. Warm-mix asphalt (WMA) is one such technology that is currently being tested. WMA refers to a collection of technologies that allow for a decrease in the temperatures at which asphalt mixes are prepared and applied. Although WMA has generally performed well up to this point, further research is required to confirm that WMA pavement life is equal to or longer than hot-mix asphalt (HMA) pavement life, maybe via long-term pavement performance prediction. The purpose of this research is to initially prepare a warm mix using Cecabase in varying proportions and then to use collected laboratory and field data as inputs into the IITPAVE and Highway Development and Management (HDM-4) tools to determine if there are statistically significant variations in the pavement design and deterioration when comparing WMA and HMA. In this investigation, Cecabase was added to vicosity grade 40 binder at concentrations of 0.2 %, 0.3 %, 0.4 %, and 0.5 % and compacted at 100°C. Marshall Mix Design was also conducted to determine the optimum binder content of the mix. The study’s findings show that, despite being subjected to environmental exposures and heavy traffic, the warm-mix sections performed as well as or better than the control hot-mix sections. The performance of the warm-mix sections appeared to be enhanced in terms of pavement deterioration due to increased compaction and less oxidation of binder as a result of lower manufacturing and placement temperatures.