An Alternative Experimental Method for Measuring the Low Temperature Rheological Properties of Asphalt Binder by Using 4mm Parallel Plates on Dynamic Shear Rheometer

Abstract

The possibility of using the dynamic shear rheometer (DSR) with 4 mm parallel plates and 3 mm gap is investigated as an alternative experimental method to measure the rheological properties of asphalt binders at low temperature. A special butterfly silicone mold was prepared for this purpose and the corresponding testing procedure was also developed. Five different asphalt binders, which are part of two active research projects, were selected. Frequency and temperature sweep tests were conducted using the DSR with three plate–plate geometries: 4 mm, 8 mm, and 25 mm. The new testing procedure was used to measure at low temperatures. The method recently proposed by the Western Research Institute and based on DSR tests with 4 mm parallel plates and 1.75 mm gap was also used for comparison purposes. Black diagrams and Cole-Cole plots were then used to evaluate the experimental data. Complex modulus and phase angle master curves were generated, and the rheological parameters compared. Finally, the two spring, two parabolic elements, one dashpot (2S2P1D) model was selected to investigate the rheological properties of the binders. Results indicate that the proposed procedure is a simple and reliable experimental method and represents an alternative experimental option to measure and analyze the rheological properties of asphalt binders at low temperature.

Characterizing the Diffusion and Rheological Properties of Aged Asphalt Binder Rejuvenated with Bio-Oil Based on Molecular Dynamic Simulations and Laboratory Experimentations

“…As previously mentioned in Section 2 , the test results represent an average of five BRAA sample replicates per rejuvenation dosage per test condition. Descriptive statistical analyses in terms of the coefficient of variation (COV) were carried out to comparatively evaluate the test data quality and consistency in this study [ 51 , 59 , 60 ]. Quantitatively, the lower the COV value, the better the consistency and data quality [ 61 ].…”

“…Quantitatively, the lower the COV value, the better the consistency and data quality [ 61 ]. In general, the obtained COV values, which ranged from 0.09% to 11.05%, exhibited reasonably acceptable test repeatability, data quality, and consistency [ 51 , 59 , 60 , 61 ]. Given the materials evaluated and the laboratory test conditions considered, this good repeatability and relatively low variability in the test data (i.e., COV < 20%) can be partly attributed to good workmanship, proper machine calibration, the use of trained operators, etc.…”

“…The tests were performed in accordance with the ASTM D7175-15 13-11 [ 48 ] standard test method. The DSR test temperature ranged from 0 to 88 °C, in 6 °C increments, at a constant frequency of 10 rad/s [ 49 , 50 , 51 ]. A parallel plate geometry, comprising of a 25 mm diameter with a 1 mm gap (high temperature) and an 8 mm diameter with a 2 mm gap (low temperature), was used for holding the asphalt binder specimens during the rotating shear testing.…”

Enhanced Storage Stability of Different Polymer Modified Asphalt Binders through Nano-Montmorillonite Modification

“…It is worth mentioning that recent studies show that the cooling period, temperature and medium may exhibit certain influence on the results of low temperature performance [33]. More accurate and reliable methods for the low temperature performance evaluation of PMA will be investigated in future studies [34]. Figure 7a shows the storage stability results of nano-montmorillonite-modified asphalt based on softening point difference.…”

A novel methodology for the evaluation of low temperature failure properties of asphalt binders

“…Riccardi et al [31] found a relationship linking creep stiffness and creep rate determined with the BBR to the relaxation modulus and creep rate obtained from DSR tests, concluding that low limiting PG temperature obtained from the two types of measurement are equivalent. Wang et al [32] focused on the results of DSR tests carried out on various asphalt binders by using 4 mm parallel plates and different measurement gaps. Based on the evaluation of master curves and related fitting models, they observed that similar rheological properties were obtained with all considered gaps.…”