내구연한이 도래한 아스팔트 혼합물은 사용자의 주행성 및 안전성 확보를 위해 주기적인 유지·보수를 실시한다. 과거에는 유지·보수 과정에서 발생된 폐아스팔트 혼합물을 각종 건설현장에서 단순 매립재로서 활용하였으나, 재활용 아스팔트 혼합물의 배합설계 기술이 확립된 이후에는 도로포장재료로서의 재활용되어왔다. 하지만 현재 시공된 재활용 아스팔트 혼합물 또한 내구연한이 다가옴에 따라 노화된 재활용 아스팔트 혼합물의 처리방안 수립이 필요한 시점이다. 본 연구에서는 한번 재활용된 아스팔트 혼합물이 기존의 재활용 배합설계법으로 반복적인 재활용이 가능한지 검증해보고자 하였다. 이를 위해 아스팔트 혼합물의 물성을 결정하는 가장 큰 요인 중 하나인 아스팔트의 물성이 노화 및 재생을 반복할때 어떻게 변하는지를 시험을 통해 분석하였다. 아스팔트 바인더의 노화를 모사하기 위해 공용성등급시험에 사용되는 단기노화 장비(Rolling Thin Film Oven, RTFO)와 장기노화 장비(Pressure Aging Vessel, PAV)을 활용하 였다. 노화된 아스팔트의 회생을 위한 재생첨가제 사용량은 국토부 시공지침의 배합설계법을 참고하였다. 실험결과, 노화된 바인더는 회생시 원바인더에 비해  sin는 감소하였으나, 회생된 바인더 간에는 유사한 결과값을 보였다. 반면 단기노화 시료는 회생이 반복 됨에 따라  sin이 감소한 경향을 보였으며, 장기노화시료는 회생이 반복되어도  sin가 유사한 것으로 확인되었다.

2022년 기준 국내 폐타이어 발생량은 약 37만톤으로 그 중 88.9%인 약 32만 9천톤이 재활용되는 것으로 조사되었다. 하지만 이 중 약 75%가 시멘트소성로용 등 열이용 분야에 사용되었다. 폐타이어는 대부분 고무와 플라스틱으로 이루어져 있기 때문에, 고온에서 분 해되면서 다양한 유해가스와 오염물질이 발생할 수 있고, 이러한 공해물질은 적극적으로 관리되지 않으면 대기오염, 수질 오염 등 다 양한 환경문제를 발생시킬 수 있다. 때문에 친환경적이고 지속적인 재활용에 대한 필요성이 대두되고 있다. 폐타이어 고무 분말을 아스팔트 혼합물의 골재 일부로 치환하여 재활용하는 접근 방식은 환경에 미치는 영향을 완화할 뿐만 아니라 천연 자원의 고갈 측면에서도 긍정적인 영향을 미치는 것으로 판단된다. 따라서 타이어분말을 아스팔트 혼합물에 적용하는 것은 환경 문제를 해결하고 자원 효율성을 높이는 두 가지 이점을 가지고 있다. 폐타이어 분말을 아스팔트 바인더와 아스팔트 혼합물에 적용할 경우 미치는 영향을 평가하기 위하여 DSR, BBR, MSCR 등의 시험 을 진행하였으며, 아스팔트 혼합물 내 폐타이어 분말의 분포를 조사하기 위해 SEM을 실시하였다. 또한 IDEAL-CT와 IDEAL-Rutting 시 험을 통해 아스팔트 혼합물의 성능을 평가하였다.

PURPOSES : This study aims to determine whether machine learning techniques based on the results of chemical analysis experiments can be rationally applied to evaluate the aging of various asphalt binders used throughout the country. METHODS : We conducted chemical experiments such as FT-IR, H-NMR, C- NMR, and GPC for the three-stage aging levels of eight types of asphalt binders used in the country and utilized two artificial neural network models to determine valid chemical experimentation and conditions for the use of neural modeling through predictions. RESULTS : The M-prop model, which combined the findings from each neural network model into a single artificial neural network model, demonstrated superior predictive performance compared with the M-base model, which assessed aging using two cluster layers. In addition, the minimum amount of data required to achieve 100% predictive accuracy for the target asphalt binders, regardless of the artificial neural network model, was 18, and the amount of training data decreased to less than 50%. CONCLUSIONS : The predictive accuracy of the aging of asphalt binders was significantly enhanced when GPC data was used, indicating that GPC should be prioritized in evaluating the aging of asphalt binders.

PURPOSES : The purpose of this study is to evaluate the asphalt binder properties using FTIR analysis. METHODS : To investigate the chemical properties of asphalt binders, FTIR tests were performed. Recently, FTIR was used for quantification under various aging conditions. Three scans were averaged for each sample within the wavenumber range of 4000 to 400 cm-1, at a resolution of 4 cm-1 (default Simatech software settings). To determine the oxidation of the extracted asphalt binder and the remaining TCE solution in the extracted asphalt binder, the penetration test was adopted and compared. To track the changes in the chemical composition of the aged bitumens, the ATR spectrum of each sample was analyzed, both qualitatively and quantitatively. The qualitative analysis involved identifying characteristic absorption peaks for the functional group of interest, such as polymer components, carbon and sulfur oxidation products, and polar aromatics. RESULTS : The asphalt binder is easily oxidized in air during FTIR testing. To reduce the oxidization of the asphalt binder, the asphalt binder must avoid air contact to measure constant results. Sometimes, the extracted asphalt binder has a residual solvent (TCE), which affects the evaluation of the extracted asphalt binder rheology, such as absolute viscosity and penetration testing. To solve this problem, the research team adopted the FTIR test method. First, the TCE was scanned with FTIR to obtain the chemical characteristics of TCE. After that, the extracted asphalt binder was scanned and the FTIR spectra were compared with those of TCE. If there is a TCE in the extracted asphalt binder, a typical peak was found in the spectrum. Thus, it is possible to estimate the content of the TCE remaining in the extracted asphalt binder via the FTIR test method. CONCLUSIONS : It is possible to evaluate the aging of asphalt binder through FTIR analysis used for the analysis of the chemical structure of asphalt. In addition, during FTIR analysis, the sample is required to avoid air contact to obtain accurate results. FTIR analysis was conducted to confirm whether the solvent (TCE) remained in the extracted asphalt binder and it was confirmed that the penetration increased by a factor of two when the solvent remained. This suggests that it is difficult to control the quality of the asphalt mixture by controlling the amount of recycled additive, as well as the aging of the extracted asphalt binder.

PURPOSES : It is well known that low temperature cracking is one of the most serious distresses on asphalt pavement, especially for northern U.S. (including Alaska), Canada and the northern part of south Korea. The risk of thermal cracking can be numerically measured by estimating thermal stress of a given asphalt mixture. This thermal stress can be computed by low temperature creep testing. Currently, in-direct tensile (IDT) mixture creep test mentioned in AASHTO specification is used for measuring low temperature creep properties of a given asphalt mixture. However, IDT requires the use of expensive testing equipment for performing the sophisticated analysis process, however, very few laboratories utilize this equipment. In this paper, a new and simple performance test (SPT) method: bending beam rheometer (BBR) mixture creep testing equipment is introduced, and the estimated experimental results were compared with those of conventional IDT tests. METHODS: Three different asphalt mixtures containing reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP) and roofing shingles were prepared in the Korea Expressway Corporation (KEC) research laboratory. Using the BBR and IDT, the low temperature creep stiffness data were measured and subsequently computed. Using a simple power-law function, the creep stiffness data were converted into relaxation modulus, and subsequently compared. Finally, thermal stress results were computed from relaxation modulus master curve using Gaussian quadrature approach with condierations of 24 Gauss number. RESULTS: In the case of the conventional asphalt mixture, similar trends were observed when the relaxation modulus and thermal stress results were compared. In the case of RAP and Shingle added mixtures, relatively different computation results were obtained. It can be estimated that different experimental surroundings and specimen sizes affected the results. CONCLUSIONS: It can be said that the BBR mixture creep test can be a more viable approach for measuring low temperature properties of asphalt mixture compared to expensive and complex IDT testing methods. However, more extensive research and analysis are required to further verify the feasibility of the BBR mixture creep test.

PURPOSES: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the long-term physical and mechanical properties of domestic asphalt binders. METHODS: The physical properties are evaluated by penetration, softening point, penetration index, and binder viscosity. The mechanical properties were confirmed by the changes of G*, phase angle (δ), stiffness, and m-value. RESULTS: The physical properties of the asphalt binder were not clearly distinguished. In the case of G* flowing after using a pressure-aging vessel, the two types of PG 64-22 (a paving asphalt) showed similar results. However, the PG 76-22 binder was confirmed to have variations in value. The two types of PG 64-22 showed stiffness changes over time at the lowest temperatures, whereas the PG 76-22 binder maintained a constant range of change and exhibited stable behavior. CONCLUSIONS: The PG 76-22 binder showed stable behavior across physical and mechanical properties, but PG 64-22 binders showed viscosityy changes in some sections.

Development of high-performance eco-friendly cold asphalt and its manufacturing system

Generally, asphalt binder experiences short-term aging during mixing and constructing processes in high temperature environments and long-term aging during the service life after opening the road. Binder aging inside asphalt mixtures incurs changes in strength of asphalt paved roads, which then changes physical properties of the mixture such as cracks and rutting resistance. This study aims to measure bond strength of aging asphalt binder using asphalt bond strength (ABS) test that can measure a bonding force of asphalt binder and aggregate surface using Pneumatic Adhesion Tensile Testing Instrument (PATTI) used previously in the paint industry as a testing method specified in AASHTO TP-91.

The main objective of this research study is the performance evaluation of 40/50 and 60/70 binder for asphalt mixtures in Vietnam. To accomplish the objective of this research, a dense gradation with nominal maximum aggregate size of 19.0mm is used for the asphalt mixtures. Marshall Stability (MS) test, Tensile Strength Ratio (TSR) test, Wheel Tracking (WT) test, and Dynamic modulus test are conducted to evaluate the rutting and cracking performance of 40/50 and 60/70 binder in asphalt mixtures. It was found that the Marshall stability of asphalt mixtures using 40/50 binder is about 12% higher than asphalt mixtures using 60/70 binder while the rutting resistance of the mixtures with 40/50 binder shows 2.5 times higher than 60/70 binder at 15,000 load cycles. Moreover, the TSR of asphalt concrete using 40/50 binder and 60/70 binder are approximately 95% and 79%, respectively which means that using 40/50 binder is very good for moisture damage resistance. Finally, the dynamic modulus test was done at a reference temperature of 20oC and frequency of 1,0Hz. The dynamic modulus of asphalt mixture with 40/50 binder is about 6257 MPa, which is two times higher than asphalt mixture using 60/70 binder. Based on the results of this study, it can be concluded that asphalt mixtures using 40/50 binder can improve the rutting and moisture damage resistance of asphalt concrete under high temperatures and moisture conditions significantly. It is noted that these conclusions were based on only on a limited number of samples and conditions. Further studies must be conducted to investigate the effect of 40/50 binder on fatigue cracking of asphalt pavement in the field.

When there is a significant stripping in asphalt pavement, it is common practice to use a hydrated lime (HL) as an anti-stripping additive (ASA). However, since many asphalt plants do not have facilities for weighing and casting HL, they prefer to use of a liquid-type ASA (LA). Therefore, various brands of LAs which show proper anti-stripping function are currently developed, imported, and marketed in Korea. In addition to the anti-stripping effect, the HL has been known to give a significant age-retarding effect on paved asphalt in the field. Therefore, there was a question about whether or not the LA provides the same anti-aging effect as The HL. This study investigated anti-aging effect of the asphalt mixes which were prepared using both ASAs and short-term aged and long-term aged in the laboratory. The absolute viscosity was measured as an aging index from the binder recovered from the mixes after short-term aging (STA) and long-term aging (LTA) processes. The results showed that there was a significant higher aging found from the LA-added mix than the normal mix without any ASA. On the other hands, the mix with HL showed significantly lower ageing level than the LA-added mix and normal mix. The retardation of age-hardening by using HL was more effectively observed when the STA condition was stronger.

OBJECTIVES : In this study, microstructural components of crumb rubber modified asphalt (CRMA) binder were investigated using environmental scanning electron microscope (ESEM). To clearly understand the elemental composition of the CRMA binder, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) was employed on the ESEM samples. METHODS: CRMA binders were produced using open blade mixers at 177℃ for 30 min. The binders were artificially aged through a series of accelerated aging processes. Sample preparation was done by making a mold shape on the glass slide. Thereafter, the morphology of the CRMA binder was observed using the ESEM coupled with the EDX. RESULTS : The images captured from the ESEM indicate that the unaged CRMA binder appears to have a single-phase continuous nonuniform structure after the addition of crumb rubber particles, whereas the artificially aged CRMA binder was observed to have two different phases. ESEM coupled with EDX shows detailed internal structure of the modified binders compared to other technologies (i.e., optical microscopy, atomic force microscopy, and conventional scanning electron microscope). CONCLUSIONS: The captured images resemble the internal structures such as the viscous properties of the unaged CRMA binder and the interaction between the rubber particles and the base binder at aged condition. ESEM is a powerful instrument and with the introduction of EDX, it provided more details of the network microstructure of the asphalt binder. ESEM coupled with EDX is recommended for use in future investigation of microstructure of asphalt binders.

PURPOSES: This study aims to show the difference of the binder aging level in the hot-mix asphalt (HMA) mixture after short-term aging (SA) under different aging conditions, such as mixture temperature and duration in hour. METHODS: Three SA times (i.e., 1 h, 2 h, and 4 h) at two temperatures (i.e., 160℃ and 180℃) were used for the normal mixtures prepared using a PG64-22 asphalt. The field long-term aging (LA) was simulated by applying the same LA procedure (65 h at 110℃) to all compacted specimens, prepared at the air void of 7% using each SA-treated mixture, in a convection oven. The binder aging level was measured in terms of large molecular size by gel-permeation chromatography (GPC) from the mixture and the absolute viscosity (AV) from the recovered binder. The aging levels were evaluated using those two properties after SA and LA, and then compared based on the normal SA (NSA) mixture (1 h at 160℃). The service life reduction caused by SA in various conditions was estimated based on the aging level of the field cores from different locations in various service lives. RESULTS: The results of the laboratory evaluation indicated that the binder of the mixture, which was treated at longer SA time and higher temperature, showed a significantly higher aging level than the NSA mixture. The binder aging level from a longer time, such as 2 h and 4 h SA, or at a higher temperature (180℃), were estimated to be similar to that of the mixtures, which had already been in field service for several years. CONCLUSIONS : The HMA mixture should be produced at a moderate temperature, such as 160℃, and placed within a limited hauling and queuing time to avoid a significant short-term aging of the binder before placement in the field pavement. The SA for a longer time at a higher temperature than the NSA condition was found to be detrimental to the service life of the asphalt pavement.

PURPOSES : The objective of this study is to develop new pothole repair materials using polyurethane-modified asphalt binder, and to evaluate them relative to current pothole repair materials in order to improve the performance of repaired asphalt pavement. METHODS : In the laboratory, polyurethane-modified asphalt binder is developed, and then asphalt binder is added to produce pothole repair materials. In order to evaluate the properties of this new pothole repair material, both an indirect tension strength test and a direct tension strength test are performed to measure the material strength and bond strength, respectively. Additionally, the basic material properties are evaluated using the asphalt cold mix manual. The strength characteristics based on curing times are evaluated using a total of 7 types of materials (3 types of current materials, 2 types of new materials, and 2 types of moisture conditioned new materials). The indirect tension strength tests are conducted at 1, 2, 4, 8, 16, and 32 days of curing time. The bond strength between current HMA(Hot Mix Asphalt) and the new materials is evaluated by the direct tension strength test. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS : Overall, the new materials show better properties than current materials. Based on the test results, the new materials demonstrate less susceptibility to moisture, faster curing times, and an improved bond strength between HMA and the new materials. Therefore, the use of the new materials reported in this study may lead to enhanced performance of repairs made to asphalt pavement potholes.

PURPOSES: In this study, various laboratory tests were performed to investigate the suitability of wasted vinyl as a modifier of asphalt binder. METHODS: Based on the ASTM specification, variations in material properties of asphalt binder such as penetration, flash point, softening point, ductility, penetration index (PI), and performance grade (PG) with vinyl content were tested and analyzed. RESULTS: Lavoratory tests revealed that penetration and ductility of the asphalt binder increased with the vinyl content. The flash point, softening point, and PI decreased, and PG changed from 64-22 to 70-22 with increase of the vinyl content. CONCLUSIONS: Wasted vinyl modified the material properties of the asphalt binder. However, the asphalt binder with vinyl content over 6.0% was unsuitable as a pavement material.

PURPOSES: SUPERPAVE binder grade tests including Multiple Stress Creep and Recovery(MSCR) test are applied to evaluate rheological properties of four polymer modified binders. METHODS: To evaluate grade of four modified binders, PG testing protocols, such as DSR, BBR and MSCR are employed. RESULTS: It is observed that MSCR test shows different performance grades especially on modified binders. Both DMP and EG binder show similar high temperature performance to SBS 5% modified binder. CONCLUSIONS: Binder Grading system in Korea need to be reviewed to properly reflect the performnace of modified binders. The binders modified with DMP and EG can be possible alternatives SBS 5% modified binder considering its performance and cost.