The paper describes the results obtained in our laboratory as part of an international project under the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) Road Transport Research program. The main objective is to determine whether a surface pavement with radically extended and maintenance-free service life is economically viable on high trafficked highways, when costs of road user delays due to road maintenance and rehabilitation are considered. Toward this objective, the characteristics of an epoxy asphalt binder are compared with those of a number of polymer-modified binders using the Superpave™ binder protocols. In addition, asphalt mixes were prepared with each binder type utilizing similar aggregates and mix designs. Tests conducted with the Superpave Shear Tester (SST), Hamburg Wheel Tracking Device (WTD), Pine Wheel Tester, Thermal Stress Restrained Specimen Test (TSRST), and Simple Performance Test (SPT) indicated that the epoxy asphalt mix is a stiffer material and exhibits excellent resistance to rutting, moisture damage, and fatigue. The Superpave binder low temperature tests were considerably higher than those from the TSRST however, results from fracture testing with the Compact Tension Test and Semicircular Bending Test qualitatively suggest the epoxy asphalt to be more resistant to low temperature thermal cracking.
展开▼
