Correlation Dependence between Hydrophobicity of Modified Bitumen and Water Saturation of Asphalt Concrete

Abstract

Improving the durability of asphalt concrete road surfaces by increasing their moisture resistance is an urgent task. Modified bituminous binders should be compacted into coatings with the lowest possible water saturation. The purpose of this study was to establish the effect of modifiers on the hydrophobicity of bituminous films in order to achieve minimum water saturation and to build a mathematical model of the wetting process with water. As modifiers, we used a product of amination of distillation residues of petrochemistry, waste sealing liquid (a solution of high molecular weight polyisobutylene in mineral oil), and a condensation product of polyamines and higher fatty acids. The water-repellent effect of modifiers was studied by measuring the contact angle of bituminous film with a water drop. The water saturation of asphalt concrete samples was determined by the amount of water absorbed by asphalt concrete at 20 °C. A close correlation was revealed between the hydrophobicity of modified bitumen and the water saturation of asphalt concrete. Generalized equations and a graphical representation of a function of several variables allowed for optimizing compositions by the content of modifiers to achieve the required performance properties of asphalt concrete coatings.

Increasing the Adhesion of Bitumen to the Surface of Mineral Fillers through Modification with a Recycled Polymer and Surfactant Obtained from Oil Refining Waste

“…One of the main reasons for the premature destruction of road surfaces is the low quality of road bitumen [ 1 , 2 ]. Bitumen does not have the necessary ratio of adhesive–cohesive properties, and the asphalt concrete pavements formed on their basis are not capable, under conditions of a constant increase in traffic and freight traffic, of providing the required performance properties [ 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 ].…”

“…By varying the polymer and surfactant added into the bitumen composition, it is possible to localize the influence of additives within the required modification effects [ 4 ]. The improved ability of the modified bitumen to wet the surface of acidic and basic crushed stone will result in a high degree of adhesion between the bitumen and the mineral filler.…”

“…Making science-based decisions both on determining the nomenclature and dosing of additives, and on predicting their combined effect in modified bitumen–mineral compositions is extremely important for the development of the modern scientific direction in the field of modifying composites. The use of probabilistic–deterministic modeling (PDM) methods allows for solving this problem and developing recipes with the required characteristics [ 4 , 42 , 43 , 44 , 45 , 46 , 47 , 48 ].…”

The Effect of the Microstructure and Viscosity of Modified Bitumen on the Strength of Asphalt Concrete

“…A limiting factor in the complex use of additives is a significant increase in the cost of modified bitumen binder. This problem can be solved by the use of effective surfactants synthesized from petrochemical waste and waste polymers (a solution of polyisobutylene in mineral oil) that require recycling as part of new materials [11,12]. This will make it possible not only to effectively modify asphalt concrete mixtures but also, at the same time, to reduce the huge volume of industrial waste and to reduce environmental problems of environmental pollution.…”