PURPOSES : In this study, energy-consuming processes in asphalt plants were evaluated, and the drying and mixing processes were characterized using a thermal equilibrium equation-based model to quantitatively estimate the amount of energy consumed during the production of mixtures in asphalt concrete plants. METHODS : An energy consumption model based on the thermal equilibrium equation was used to estimate the energy consumption of the aggregate drying process that consumes the maximum energy; the energy consumed for material transportation, storage, and operation of other facilities was cited from the literature. The results were compared with the actual results obtained for recycled hot asphalt mixtures and recycled warm mix asphalt mixtures, and a sensitivity analysis was performed by varying the conditions. RESULTS : An analysis of the main processes required to produce asphalt mixtures showed that the water content had the largest impact on energy consumption (approximately 80%). This quantitatively supports the opinion of field practitioners that maximum energy is consumed during aggregate drying. Although some discrepancies were observed, the results were found to be reasonable and within the range of typical measurements. CONCLUSIONS : The thermal energy consumption estimation model provides consistent results that reflect the characteristics of the mixture and can be used to derive the thermal energy consumption rates for individual materials, such as aggregates and binders. This can be used to identify the priorities for process optimization within a plant.

PURPOSES : The evaluation of the low-temperature performance of an asphalt mixture is crucial for mitigating transverse thermal cracking and preventing traffic accidents on expressways. Engineers in pavement agencies must identify and verify the pavement sections that require urgent management. In early 2000, the research division of the Korea Expressway Corporation developed a three-dimensional (3D) pavement condition monitoring profiler vehicle (3DPM) and an advanced infographic (AIG) highway pavement management system computer program. Owing to these efforts, the management of the entire expressway network has become more precise, effective, and efficient. However, current 3DPM and AIG technologies focus only on the pavement surface and not on the entire pavement layer. Over the years, along with monitoring, further strengthening and verification of the feasibility of current 3DPM and AIG technologies by performing extensive mechanical tests and data analyses have been recommended. METHODS : First, the pavement section that required urgent care was selected using the 3DPM and AIG approaches. Second, asphalt mixture cores were acquired from the specified section, and a low-temperature fracture test, semi- circular bending (SCB) test, was performed. The mechanical parameters, energy-release rate, and fracture toughness were computed and compared. RESULTS : As expected, the asphalt mixture cores acquired from the specified pavement section ( poor condition – bad section) exhibited negative fracture performances compared to the control section (good section). CONCLUSIONS : The current 3DPM and AIG approaches in KEC can successfully evaluate and analyze selected pavement conditions. However, more extensive experimental studies and mathematical analyses are required to further strengthen and upgrade current pavement analysis approaches.

PURPOSES : This study was conducted to compare and evaluate the compaction performance and physical properties of recycled asphalt mixtures by utilizing the characteristics of hot-mix asphalt mixtures and foamed asphalt. METHODS : A wearing-course mixture was used for performance evaluations. Subsequently, dynamic shear rheometry (DSR), compaction performance, general physical properties, tensile strength ratio, and Hamburg wheel tracking were tested. RESULTS : As a result of performance comparisons, compaction, and general physical properties satisfied the quality standards. In the Hamburg wheel tracking test, the mixture with the antistripping agent improved performance by approximately 40% compared with the general mixture. As the foamed asphalt binder was produced at a relatively low temperature compared with the general hot-mix asphalt binder, the penetration, viscosity, and DSR test results of the aged foamed asphalt binder showed that the aging of the asphalt binder was suppressed, and the flexibility increased. Therefore, the resistance to fatigue cracks is expected to be enhanced. CONCLUSIONS : Even though the foamed warm-mix recycled asphalt mixture was produced at a temperature that was 20~30°C lower than the hot-mix asphalt mixture, its physical properties were similar to those of the hot-mix asphalt mixture; its use is expected to reduce the production of fuel and air pollutants.

PURPOSES : In this study, the thermal conductivity properties and mechanical performance of a thermally conductive asphalt mixture that can be applied to increase the efficiency of deicing asphalt pavements are evaluated. METHODS : Graphite powder and carbon fiber, which are inexpensive carbon materials, were added to the asphalt mixture to its conductivity. To determine the optimal mixing ratio of the carbon materials, the dispersibility, thermal conductivity, and performance of the conductive asphalt mixture were evaluated. The performance of the mixture was evaluated in terms of its volume characteristics, Marshall stability, dynamic modulus, indirect tensile strength (IDT), and wheel-tracking tests. RESULTS : The thermal conductivity of the asphalt mixture containing 2% graphite is 1.81 W/mK, which is approximately twice (0.94 W/mK) that of a general asphalt mixture. Meanwhile, the graphite-added asphalt mixture indicates a much higher temperature increase rate than the general asphalt mixture, and its surface temperature after 60 min is 7.5 ℃ higher. In addition, it reaches 0 ℃ from -10 ℃ at a rate 1.5 times higher than that required by the general asphalt mixture. When both 2% graphite and 1% carbon fiber are added, the thermal conductivity improves to 2.03 W/mK, and the conductivity is similar at all locations of the slab specimen location, which indicates no dispersibility issue. The results of the mechanical performance evaluation shows that the higher the ratio of the carbon material, the lower is the dynamic modulus and IDT at 20 ℃, which decreases the crack resistance. Meanwhile, the results of the Hamburg wheel-tracking test at 50 ℃ show an improvement in the permanent deformation resistance. CONCLUSIONS : The results of the conductivity and performance evaluation show that the optimal ratio is the combination of 2% graphite and 0.5% carbon fiber. This suggests that the conductive asphalt mixture incorporated with carbon materials can efficiently transfer heat generated from the heating layer at the bottom of the pavement to the pavement surface.

PURPOSES : The objective of this study is to analyze the significance of binder aging in a hot-mix asphalt (HMA) mixture in an insulated camber for a long duration for repair works, where the absolute viscosity level and service life reduction (SLR) are assessed based on the haul time, as well as to suggest a methodology for reducing the aging level. METHODS : Because the HMA mixture is stored in an insulated box carriage at high temperature for repair works, if the binder in the mix is severely oxidized, then the repaired pavement will not exhibit a long service life. Therefore, the 13-mm dense-graded HMA mix with PG64-22 was aged in an oven at 160 °C for 1, 2, 4 and 8 h to evaluate its aging level. Gel-permeation chromatography was performed on the mixture particle without binder recovery to measure the large-molecular size ratio, from which the estimated absolute viscosity (EAV) was computed using a best-fit regression model. The SLR values of aged and repaired mixes were estimated to determine the amount of deterioration in the mixes caused by severe aging. Hydrated lime (HL) was introduced into the mix at a ratio of 1.5 wt% of the total mix. The aging level and SLR were compared with those of the repaired mix without HL. RESULTS : The binder EAV of the HMA mix increases significantly with the mixture aging duration. In particular, the binder EAV level of a 4-h aged mix is similar to the asphalt viscosity level of a pavement with approximately 7 years of service life. The service life expressed based on the aging level is interpreted as the reduced service life of the aged mix, which is already oxidized before it is used. Meanwhile, the binder of an 8-h aged mix without HL aged significantly and its SLR is approximately 11 years. However, its aging level and SLR reduced significantly when HL. is incorporated. CONCLUSIONS : The binder aging level of the repaired mix increases significantly with its storage duration in a hot chamber for carriage. However, since the aging level decreases significantly by the incorporation of HL, the use of HL is highly recommended when preparing new mix for repair works to be performed in a hot-chamber for a long duration.

PURPOSES : The purpose of this study was to reduce greenhouse gases and prevent potholes on roads by evaluating the performances of hot and warm mixed asphalt mixtures. METHODS : Quality tests were conducted using an appropriate aggregate ratio of the asphalt mixture. The tests for comparing the warm mixed asphalt mixture are the indirect tensile strength and toughness, Marshall stability and flow, tensile strength ratio, and dynamic immersion test. A performance evaluation was conducted using a mixture that satisfied the quality test results. A performance evaluation test was also conducted using the dynamic modulus and Hamburg wheel tracking test. To analyze the performance based on the amine content, the performance was compared with that of a hot mixed asphalt mixture. RESULTS : All tests for the mixture results satisfied the standard values. The optimal amine content was analyzed through the high and low frequencies of the dynamic modulus test results and stripping inflection point with the final rut depth of the Hamburg wheel tracking test. The dynamic modulus test results demonstrated better crack resistance and plastic deformation when a high amine content ratio was used. The Hamburg wheel-tracking test showed water resistance and plastic deformation resistance. The test results of the Hamburg wheel tracking indicated better deformation resistance and water resistance when a high amine content ratio was used. CONCLUSIONS : The plastic deformation and crack resistance increased with an increase in amine content. Analysis of the comprehensive test revealed that the optimal amine content was between that of additives B(50%) and C(65%). Tests with a granular amine content are planned to confirm the specific components. Also planned are a simplified viscoelastic continuum damage test and a semicircular bending test to evaluate the performance better.

PURPOSES : Preventive pavement maintenance is an economical and efficient method of infrastructure management. This study aims to improve the performance of cold thin-layer asphalt pavement, which is mainly used in earthwork pavement, and for bridge overlays and structures. METHODS : A cold asphalt mixture of modified emulsified asphalt and RAP was prepared for cold recycled thin-layer asphalt pavement. The performance of the mixture as a function of fiber reinforcement to improve flexural strength and crack resistance was evaluated. RESULTS : The use of RAP aggregate in cold asphalt mixture was found to increase the cohesive strength of the mixture and improve the wet abrasion resistance due to the effect of the residual binder. As a result of the loaded wheel test and flexural tension test with the addition of fiber reinforcement, it was found that the crack resistance of 0.4 % glass fiber was the best, and especially, the flexibility at low temperature was excellent. CONCLUSIONS : The cold recycled thin-layer asphalt pavement mixture has improved cohesive strength, flexural strength, and crack resistance compared to existing cold asphalt pavement materials, so it will contribute to economical and effective maintenance in preventive maintenance of bridge overlays and structural pavements.