Pavement Construction: Material Characterization and Durability Analysis

A special issue of Applied Sciences (ISSN 2076-3417). This special issue belongs to the section "Civil Engineering".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 July 2024 | Viewed by 5434

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
School of Traffic and Transportation Engineering, Changsha University of Science and Technology, Changsha 410114, China
Interests: long-life pavement structure design theory and methods; high-performance pavement materials; pavement digital twins
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Guest Editor
School of Civil and Hydraulic Engineering, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
Interests: pavement mechanics; sustainable road materials; foamed and emulsified asphalt; analytical solution; finite element approach; molecular dynamics
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

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Guest Editor
School of Civil and Hydraulic Engineering, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430074, China
Interests: concrete pavement design and performance evaluation; preservation and rehabilitation of rigid pavement; forensic investigations of concrete pavement deterioration mechanisms
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

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Guest Editor
Hong Kong Center for Construction Center, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Hong Kong, China
Interests: construction materials; pavement design; road maintainance

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Pavements have been a hot topic of research for a long time. To make sure pavements are safe and durable for use, ever more scholars focus on advanced materials and properties performance. Accordingly, advanced characterization technologies are popularly used to analyze materials including asphalt, recycled materials, concretes, and so on.

Furthermore, novel durable pavement construction techniques are also developed such as structure design, prediction model, and finite element modeling techniques.

To further promote the development of pavement construction, this Special Issue entitled "Pavement Construction: Material Characterization and Durability Analysis" aims to collect some advances in the following topics:

  1. Advanced materials of pavements;
  2. Characterization techniques;
  3. Pavement design;
  4. Pavement construction;
  5. Safety and durability;
  6. Strength and fatigue life.

Prof. Dr. Songtao Lv
Dr. Lingyun You
Dr. Wujun Zhou
Dr. Wenyao Liu
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • advanced materials of pavements
  • characterization techniques
  • pavement design
  • pavement construction
  • safety and durability
  • strength and fatigue life

Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

22 pages, 4306 KiB  
Article
Effects of Epoxy Resin Value on Waterborne-Epoxy-Resin-Modified Emulsified Asphalt Mixture Performance
by Lieguang Wang, Zirui Zhang, Wenyao Liu, Mingfei Wu, Junyi Shi and Kezhen Yan
Appl. Sci. 2024, 14(4), 1353; https://doi.org/10.3390/app14041353 - 06 Feb 2024
Viewed by 521
Abstract
Although research shows that waterborne epoxy resin emulsified asphalt (WER-EA) is an environmental protection material with potential high resistance to multiple types of pavement distress, its performance is rather complicated and much affected by the curing agent and epoxy resin value. This paper [...] Read more.
Although research shows that waterborne epoxy resin emulsified asphalt (WER-EA) is an environmental protection material with potential high resistance to multiple types of pavement distress, its performance is rather complicated and much affected by the curing agent and epoxy resin value. This paper serves as a follow-up study to the preliminary published research on evaluating the impact of the epoxy value and common curing agents on the performance of asphalt mixtures. Four groups of emulsified asphalt were filtered out to prepare mixture samples, and laboratory tests on mixture performance under high and low temperatures were conducted. Specifically, Marshall and rutting tests were conducted for evaluating mixture resistance to rutting under high temperatures, and indirect tensile tests were conducted to indicate resistance to cracking at low temperatures. Water stability performance was also assessed by comparing the mixture properties before and after water absorption. The results showed that the mixture with an epoxy value of 20 and curing agents using triethylenetetramine (TETA) had the best overall performance among the investigated mixtures, with the highest resistance to high-temperature deformation and water damage. However, more research should be conducted to improve the low-temperature resistance to cracking for WER-EA mixtures. Full article
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18 pages, 22038 KiB  
Article
Innovative Quality Assessment of Pavement Subgrades Using the Glegg Impact Soil Tester
by Katarina Hodasova, Juraj Musuta, Martin Decky and Maria Kudelcikova
Appl. Sci. 2024, 14(2), 876; https://doi.org/10.3390/app14020876 - 19 Jan 2024
Viewed by 946
Abstract
This article presents the case study of our research in the field of innovative methods of pavement subgrade quality control using the CIST (Clegg Impact Soil Tester) device. The CIST device developed by Dr Clegg from the University of Western Australia measures soil [...] Read more.
This article presents the case study of our research in the field of innovative methods of pavement subgrade quality control using the CIST (Clegg Impact Soil Tester) device. The CIST device developed by Dr Clegg from the University of Western Australia measures soil compaction indirectly using the CBR value. The value is evaluated based on the deceleration rate of a falling 4.5 kg weight moving in a vertical guide roller. In Europe, for the assessment of the mechanical efficiency (bearing capacity) of cohesive soils in the pavement subgrade, priority is given to indirect assessment methods especially using the laboratory determination of CBR (Californian Bearing Ratio) and directly through the implementation of a static plate load test (SPLT). This article reports the long-term results of our research in the field of verification and validation of an innovative CIST device, which minimizes the time, space, and economic disadvantages of SPLT. This article presents the results of determining the field of applicability of the CIST device for cohesive soils, the correlation dependencies (CD) of the CBR values determined by the CIST device, and, according to STN 72 1016, the CD of the impact dynamic deformation modulus Evd from the CIV (Clegg Impact Value). We consider the most important results of our long-term research to be a recognition of the ability of CIST to assess the quality of cohesive soils up to a compression value of 40 mm, corresponding to a CBR of 2.2% and a modulus of subgrade deformation of 20 MPa. A very strong correlation dependence of CBRClegg [%] on the moisture content of clayey soils in the interval from 5 to 19% was also observed. The presented knowledge led to the creation of relevant documents for the credible implementation of the CIST device in the system approach for assessing the quality of the pavement subgrade. Full article
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16 pages, 8890 KiB  
Article
Study on the Aging Behavior of Asphalt Binder Exposed to Different Environmental Factors
by Shanglin Song, Linbing Wang, Chunping Fu, Meng Guo, Xiaoqiang Jiang, Meichen Liang and Luchun Yan
Appl. Sci. 2023, 13(23), 12651; https://doi.org/10.3390/app132312651 - 24 Nov 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 723
Abstract
Accelerated aging methods commonly used in laboratories struggle to replicate the outdoor aging process of asphalt binder. The aim of this study is to elucidate the impact of different environmental factors on the aging of asphalt binder and recreate the exposure process of [...] Read more.
Accelerated aging methods commonly used in laboratories struggle to replicate the outdoor aging process of asphalt binder. The aim of this study is to elucidate the impact of different environmental factors on the aging of asphalt binder and recreate the exposure process of asphalt binder. To achieve the study’s objectives, the asphalt binder was subjected to various environmental conditions through different aging modes. Three exposure modes (all environmental factors, the effects of light, temperature, oxygen, the effects of temperature, oxygen, and others) were established to assess the impact of various environmental factors on asphalt binder aging behavior. This mode was labeled O+UV-aging, earning it the name O-aging. The aging behaviors were assessed across multiple dimensions, considering apparent morphology, rheological properties, and chemical composition. The study’s findings highlight that factors such as ultraviolet radiation are primarily responsible for the formation of micro-cracks and increased surface roughness in aged asphalt binder. Ultraviolet radiation significantly affected the aging of asphalt binder during outdoor exposure. SBS modifiers increased the risk of fatigue cracking in the virgin asphalt binder but enhanced its aging resistance. After All-aging, the G-R parameter increase of virgin asphalt binder was 2.6 times that of SBS-modified asphalt binder. Throughout the exposure process, the broken molecular chains and the original molecular chains in the asphalt binder underwent polymerization reactions, resulting in longer carbon chains and cycloalkane aromatization. It was discovered that exposure showed less effect on the characteristic functional groups of SBS-modified binder than on virgin binder. After All-aging, the carbonyl index of SBS-modified asphalt binder was 56.4% higher than that of virgin asphalt binder. Full article
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24 pages, 7294 KiB  
Article
Gradation Influence on Crack Resistance of Stress-Absorbing Membrane Interlayer
by Ping Li, Xuan Xiao, Shuaituan Tian, Junbin Liu, Wenju Peng, Bin Wang and Shende Liu
Appl. Sci. 2023, 13(20), 11276; https://doi.org/10.3390/app132011276 - 13 Oct 2023
Viewed by 1014
Abstract
Reflective cracking is a common distress of old pavement overlaid with an asphalt layer. The asphalt rubber stress-absorbing membrane interlayer can effectively mitigate and prevent reflective cracking. However, the existing test methods and evaluation indices for the crack resistance of the asphalt rubber [...] Read more.
Reflective cracking is a common distress of old pavement overlaid with an asphalt layer. The asphalt rubber stress-absorbing membrane interlayer can effectively mitigate and prevent reflective cracking. However, the existing test methods and evaluation indices for the crack resistance of the asphalt rubber stress-absorbing membrane interlayer are insufficient and unsystematic. They do not account for the significant effect of gradation parameters on the crack resistance in a comprehensive way. Therefore, this research aims to explore the impact of gradation parameters on the performance of the asphalt rubber stress-absorbing membrane interlayer. Based on the Chinese and U.S. standards, three kinds of 10 types of gradation were selected, forming a total of seven groups. The asphalt rubber stress-absorbing membrane interlayer was subjected to −10 °C and 15 °C beam bending test, low-temperature semi-circular bend test, crack expansion semi-circular bend test, and overlay test to evaluate its cracking resistance. The correlation and influence law between the key sieve hole method, graded fractal method, and Bayley method parameters of different grades and beam bending test, low-temperature semi-circular bend test, crack expansion semi-circular bend test, and overlay test indexes were quantitatively analyzed by the coefficient of variation and Pearson correlation analysis method. The results showed that the performance of the mixtures with different gradation ranges varied significantly in different tests, as indicated by the maximum difference of 56.07% in stress absorption. This implied that gradation is a critical factor that affects the stress absorption performance of mixes. The different sensitivities of different tests to the parameters of the key sieve method, the graded fractal method, and the Bailey method indicated that the stress absorption performance was affected by a combination of factors. Therefore, in order to evaluate and optimize the stress absorption performance, it was necessary to comprehensively consider the interactions among the parameters of the key sieve method, the graded fractal method, and the Bailey method. The stress absorption performance included crack resistance and crack expansion resistance, which were inversely related and needed to be balanced and optimized during design. The −10 °C beam bending test and crack expansion semi-circular bend tests were more suitable test methods for evaluating stress absorption performance, and maximum flexural–tensile strain, strain energy density, fracture energy, and flexibility index were recommended as evaluation indicators. This research provides a reference for the optimization of the grading design of asphalt rubber stress-absorbing membrane interlayers, and provides test methods and indicators for the evaluation of crack resistance. Full article
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19 pages, 18637 KiB  
Article
The Adhesion and Moisture Damage Resistance between Castor Oil-Based Bio-Asphalt and Aggregates under the Action of Thermal-Oxidative Aging
by Ran Zhang, Qingwen Shi, Pengkun Hu, Jie Ji and Long Wen
Appl. Sci. 2023, 13(18), 10410; https://doi.org/10.3390/app131810410 - 18 Sep 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 741
Abstract
This study aims to investigate the adhesion properties and moisture damage resistance between castor oil-based bio-asphalt (COBA) and aggregates under the action of thermal oxidation. Different dosages of castor oil-based bio-oil (5%, 10%, and 15%) were used to prepare the COBA by mixing [...] Read more.
This study aims to investigate the adhesion properties and moisture damage resistance between castor oil-based bio-asphalt (COBA) and aggregates under the action of thermal oxidation. Different dosages of castor oil-based bio-oil (5%, 10%, and 15%) were used to prepare the COBA by mixing it with petroleum asphalt. The short-term and long-term aging of COBA were simulated by the rolling thin-film oven test (RTFOT) over 85 min and 385 min, respectively. The boiling method, photoelectric colorimetry, contact angle test, and contact angle moisture susceptibility test (CAMSI) were used to evaluate the adhesion and exfoliation of the COBA–aggregates before and after thermal oxygen aging. Then, the aging degree of COBA was quantitatively evaluated by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), and the correlation between aging condition and COBA–aggregates adhesion was analyzed. The results showed that the cohesion in COBA increased by 23.1% on average due to the addition of bio-oil. And the adhesion between COBA and aggregates increased by 5% due to the acidic compounds formed in the process of interaction with silicates on the surface of the aggregates. After short-term thermal oxidation, the adhesion between COBA and its aggregates was further improved as the polar components in the asphalt binder increased when the bio-oil dosage was less than 10%. However, with the continuous increase in the bio-oil amount and thermal oxidation degree, the adhesion decreased by 12.6% when compared to the virgin status; in addition, the adhesion grade decreased. Also, a low dosage of bio-oil was found to also improve COBA’s resistance to moisture damage, and helped to reduce moisture sensitivity during the interaction with asphalt binder. However, the acidic compounds that were generated by the reaction with hydrolyzed aggregates in the presence of asphalt binder reduced the adhesion between COBA and the aggregates. Finally, FTIR revealed a good correlation between IC=O and adhesion between COBA and the aggregates. Full article
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15 pages, 9838 KiB  
Article
Effect of Simultaneous Changes in Asphalt Binder Bee Structure Components on Mechanical Properties during the Aging and Rejuvenation Process
by Donghui Huo, Xiupeng Yao, Meng Guo and Daisong Luo
Appl. Sci. 2023, 13(18), 10308; https://doi.org/10.3390/app131810308 - 14 Sep 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 553
Abstract
The bee structure of an asphalt binder surface changes during the aging and rejuvenation process, and the effect of this microstructural change on the mechanical properties of the asphalt binder is not clear. Therefore, in this paper, a two-dimensional finite element model of [...] Read more.
The bee structure of an asphalt binder surface changes during the aging and rejuvenation process, and the effect of this microstructural change on the mechanical properties of the asphalt binder is not clear. Therefore, in this paper, a two-dimensional finite element model of an asphalt binder microstructure was constructed based on processed AFM images, and the contents of bee phases and bee casings were varied at the same time to analyze the stress and strain distribution law of the asphalt binder microstructure. The results of the study show that in the bee structure, the stress in the bee phase is obviously greater than that in the bee casing, and the stress in the interstitial phase is the lowest. With the simultaneous enhancement in the proportion of the bee phase and the bee casing, the stresses in the asphalt samples increased in all phase structures. Under the combined effect of the decrease in the content of the bee phase and the increase in the content of the bee casing, there is a certain degree of increase in the internal stresses and strains in the asphalt binder, the effect of the bee casing on the internal stresses in the asphalt binder is more pronounced, and the bee phase and the bee casing play better roles in resisting the external deformation due to the increase in the volume fraction. For a recycled asphalt binder, whether there is an increase in the dosage of the old asphalt binder or an enhancement in the interfacial diffusion and a fusion of new and old asphalt binders, the level of tensile strain within the recycled asphalt binder will increase to a certain extent, which, in turn, will put forward a higher requirement for its anti-cracking ability. Full article
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