A New Binder-Fast-Characterization-Test Using a Dynamic Shear Rheometer and Its Application for Rejuvenating Reclaimed Asphalt Binder

Abstract

A simple method using a dynamic shear rheometer is proposed for determining high-temperature key parameters of asphalt binders in place of the ring-and-ball softening point, currently used in Germany. The test was recently introduced in the German standards under the name Bitumen-Typisierungs-Schnell Verfahren (BTSV), which translates to Binder-Fast-Characterization-Test. Two key parameters are obtained as the result of the test: the temperature TBTSV, at which the shear modulus is equal to 15.0 kPa, and the corresponding phase angle δBTSV. While TBTSV provides information on material hardness, δBTSV indicates the degree of modification. Based on these two parameters, a classification system is proposed for different asphalt binder grades commonly used in Europe. Additionally, the procedure was applied for rejuvenating aged asphalt binder extracted from reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP). A linear relation is observed for the two key parameters when blending RAP binder with different proportions of rejuvenator. These findings were used to evaluate the effectiveness of different rejuvenating additives.

Bio-Degradable Wax to Modify Asphalt Binder for Warm Mix Asphalt

“…typical ranges of BTSV-values for virgin asphalt binder grades [36,37]. The equi-shear modulus temperature T(BTSV) for all wax-modified binders is above the temperature of the unmodified bitumen, indicating the stiffening effect of the waxes.…”

“…BTSV results are illustrated in Figure 2, presenting the values for T(BTSV) on the x-axis and δ(BTSV) on the y-axis. In addition to the test data, boxes with black lines indicate typical ranges of BTSV-values for virgin asphalt binder grades [36,37]. The equi-shear modulus temperature T(BTSV) for all wax-modified binders is above the temperature of the unmodified bitumen, indicating the stiffening effect of the waxes.…”

Investigation on the use of a novel chemical bitumen additive with reclaimed asphalt and at lower mix production and construction temperatures: a case study

“…As mentioned before, the T BTSV can be interpreted as a corrected softening point, which represents the hardness of a binder; the δ BTSV , on the other hand, indicates the degree of modification of a binder. In (Schrader et al, 2020) three modification levels are defined: unmodified (δ BTSV > 75°), moderately modified (65°< δ BTSV < 75°), and highly modified (δ BTSV < 65°).…”

Rheological, spectroscopic and microscopic assessment of asphalt binder ageing

“…DSR measurements based on the binder-fast-characterisation-test (BTSV), according to German Standard DIN 52050 (2018), were used for rheological characterisation of the progressively aged asphalt binder. As presented by Alisov et al (2020) and Schrader et al (2020), the test procedure of the BTSV test can be used for a fast and easy rheological characterisation of plain, aged and blended asphalt binders. Two key parameters obtained from BTSV testing are used for characterisation and differentiation of asphalt binders: the temperature T BTSV , where the shear modulus is 15 kPa, and the corresponding phase angle δ BTSV .…”

“…Typically, oscillation measurements are used to evaluate rheological binder properties based on shear modulus G* and phase angle δ. As a consequence of asphalt binder ageing (both oxidative ageing and UV ageing), the shear modulus increases and the phase angle decreases (Feng et al, 2013;Leiva-Villacorta et al, 2014;Lu & Isacsson, 2002;Schrader et al, 2020;Tarsi et al, 2018;Wang et al, 2019). Thus, the material becomes stiffer and more elastic.…”