The role of rejuvenators in embedded damage healing for asphalt pavement

Journal article (2021)

Authors

S. Xu Materials and Environment - CEG
X. Liu Pavement Engineering - CEG
A. Tabakovic University College Dublin, Materials and Environment - CEG , Dublin Institute of Technology
P. Lin Pavement Engineering - CEG , Tongji University
Y. Zhang Materials and Environment - CEG
S. Nahar Latexfalt B.V., TNO
B. J. Lommerts Latexfalt B.V., Xiyuefa Group
E. Schlangen Materials and Environment - CEG
Research Group
Materials and Environment (CEG) (TU Delft)
Copyright: © 2021 S. Xu, X. Liu, A. Tabakovic, P. Lin, Y. Zhang, S. Nahar, B. J. Lommerts, E. Schlangen
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matdes.2021.109564
More Info
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Published Date

2021

Language

English

Faculty

Civil Engineering & Geosciences

Department

Materials- Mechanics- Management & Design

Research Group

Materials and Environment

Abstract

Rejuvenator encapsulation technique showed great potential for extrinsic asphalt pavement damage healing. Once the capsules are embedded within asphalt pavement, the healing is activated on-demand via progressing microcrack. When the microcrack encounters the capsule, the fracture energy at the tip opens the capsule and releases the rejuvenator. Then the released rejuvenator wets the crack surfaces, diffuses into and softens the aged bitumen, allowing two broken edges to come in the contact, preventing further asphalt pavement deterioration. The quality and speed of the damage repair process strongly depend on the quality of rejuvenator, thus it is important to choose a proper rejuvenator with good abilities to restore the lost properties of bitumen from ageing and show a sustainable performance after healing. To this aim, three different rejuvenators were studied and ranked based on the performance of their rejuvenated bitumen, including physical properties, rheological properties, chemical properties and the performance after re-ageing. Furthermore, these rejuvenators were encapsulated in calcium alginate capsules and the tests on these capsules indicate the diameter, mechanical resistance and thermal stability of the capsules are influenced by the encapsulated rejuvenator. The findings will benefit the development of rejuvenator encapsulation technique and the optimization of the capsule healing system towards a better healing effect in asphalt pavement.