Evaluation of Sulfur Extended Asphalt (SEA) Pavements in Cold and Hot Climates

摘要

Caltrans performed a study of sulfur extended asphalt (SEA) blends by constructing cold climate and warm climate test sections using SEA 20 and 30 weight percent blends which were compared to AR-2000 (blending asphalt) and AR-4000 conventional asphalt binders. Previous reports revealed no significant problems regarding design, mixing, construction, and environmental controls. Long-range findings reveal that the SEA blends appear to age harden more slowly than the control AR-2000 but they appear to have poorer ductile properties. Crack and condition evaluations reveal a greater susceptibility to transverse cracking by the SEA blends, especially the SEA 40% in colder climates. The SEA blends appear to exhibit slightly better resistance to alligator cracking. It appears that SEA blends will provide equal or better performance to conventional asphalts. Thus, they are only cost effective where the cost of sulfur is less than 50 percent of the cost of asphalt.