An Evaluation of the Efficiency of Compartmented Alginate Fibres Encapsulating a Rejuvenator as an Asphalt Pavement Healing System

Abstract

This paper explores the potential methods for evaluating a healing system for asphalt pavements. The healing system under investigation involves compartmented calcium-alginate fibres encapsulating an asphalt binder healing agent (rejuvenator). This system presents a novel method of incorporating rejuvenators into asphalt pavement mixtures. The compartmented fibres are used to distribute the rejuvenator throughout the pavement mixture, thereby overcoming some of the problems associated with alternate asphalt pavement healing methods, i.e., spherical capsules and hollow fibres. The asphalt healing efficiency methods to be evaluated in this paper include: (i) standard test methods for asphalt pavements, such as the Indirect Tensile Strength test and the 4 Point Bending Fatigue test; and (ii) alternative fracture tests such as the Semi Circular Bend test. The study employs fracture theory in order to evaluate the efficiency of the damage repair. The research findings demonstrate that including compartmented calcium-alginate fibres encapsulating a rejuvenator into an asphalt pavement mix does not significantly improve the healing properties of the asphalt pavement. Nevertheless, the findings indicate that, with further enhancement, compartmented calcium alginate fibres may present a promising new approach for the development of self-healing asphalt pavement systems. Additionally, the test results indicate that the 4 point bend fatigue test is the most suitable test for evaluating the performance of self healing asphalt pavements.

Self‐Healing Asphalt Review: From Idea to Practice

“…Tabaković et al further demonstrated that optimum healing time for zeer open asfalt beton (ZOAB) mix using compartmented alginate fibers encapsulating rejuvenator is 20 h. Figure illustrates successful crack closure (healing) in an asphalt test specimen containing 5% compartmented alginate fibers encapsulating the rejuvenator after 20 h of healing.…”

“…Figure shows the crack propagation speed within semi‐circular bend (SCB) test sample at the initial test and after two healing stages . It is clear from the graph that the fiber mix experiences slower crack propagation.…”

“…Tabaković et al also studied healing performance of a ZOAB asphalt mix containing the fiber healing system subjected to the fatigue loading. Figure shows the healing efficiency of the ZOAB control mix and fiber mix flexural stiffness ( S mix ).…”

Research on the Mechanical, Thermal, Induction Heating and Healing Properties of Steel Slag/Steel Fibers Composite Asphalt Mixture

“…The moisture susceptibility of the mixtures studied was evaluated by moisture indices using Marshall Stability Ratio (MSR) for different kinds of specimens following ASTM D1559 standard method. The MSR was calculated according to Equation (1).…”

“…Asphalt concrete is a self-healing material which can close micro cracks during rest periods through bitumen flow and diffusion [1]. The potential benefits of applying self healing technology to asphalt pavements include reduced road maintenance with a subsequent reduction in CO 2 production, improved safety for both road users and road workers, improved road life span, and reduced cost of road maintenance [2].…”