Performance of Glass Wool Fibers in Asphalt Concrete Mixtures

Abstract

Nowadays, in order to improve asphalt pavement performance and durability and reduce environmental pollution caused by hydrocarbon materials, many researchers are studying different ways of modifying asphalt concrete (AC) and finding alternative paving materials to extend the service life of pavements. One of the successful materials used in the modification of AC is fibers. Different types of fibers have been reinforced in AC mixtures and improvements have been observed. This research studies the performance of glass wool fibers reinforced in a dense-graded asphalt mixture. Generally, glass fibers are known to have excellent mechanical properties such as high tensile modulus, 100% elastic recovery and a very high tolerance to heat. Glass wool fibers are commonly used as a thermal insulation material. In this research, to evaluate the performance of glass wool fibers in AC, laboratory tests, the Marshall mix design test, indirect tensile strength (IDT), tensile strength ratio (TSR) and the Kim test were conducted to determine a proper mix design, tensile properties, moisture susceptibility, rutting and fatigue behaviors. Results show that the addition of glass wool fibers does affect the properties of AC mixtures. The use of glass wool fibers shows a positive consistence result, in which it improved the moisture susceptibility and rutting resistance of the AC. Additionally, results show that the addition of fiber increased tensile strength and toughness which indicates that fibers have a potential to resist distresses that occur on a surface of the road as a result of heavy traffic loading. The overall results show that the addition of glass wool fibers in AC mixtures is beneficial in improving properties of AC pavements.

Uso de distintos tipos de fibras para mejorar las propiedades mecánicas de la mezcla asfáltica: Una revisión literaria

“…Son diversos los métodos que se utilizan para evaluar las mezclas asfálticas con fibras, una de ellas es la prueba Marshall, la cual es simple, económica y se distingue por tener dos características principales, el análisis de vacíos con aire y resultados de estabilidad y flujo Marshall (Mrema, Noh, Kwon, y Lee, 2020). En relación con la estabilidad de flujo, Preciado y colaboradores mencionan que ésta se expresa como el cociente de Marshall, el cual es un indicador de la rigidez de la mezcla.…”

Periodo de desempeño de mezclas asfálticas prefabricadas almacenadas para actividades de parcheo en Bogotá D.C.

“…Conforme a los resultados de la tabla 6, se evidencia que los valores son similares entre los dos materiales prefabricados evaluados. Con respecto a los datos obtenidos en las mezclas asfálticas en caliente, convencionales y de alto módulo, los rangos establecidos fueron entre 76% y 94% [35], [46], [47], [48]. En contraste, para mezclas utilizadas en actividades de parcheo de materiales fríos en bases acuosas de mezclas de asfalto emulsionado con epoxi, los rangos reportados fueron de 75.2 % y 76.1 % [47].…”

Laboratory Evaluation of ESGFIBER in Asphalt Paving Mixture

“…The deformation strength test adopted the application of a load to the limited area on the specimen rather than applying a load to the whole specimen cross-sectional area so as to simulate the circular spot which suffers the stresses when a wheel is in contact with the road. The round edge loading head was used to create a concave form of deformation on AC specimen, which is considered as similar to the contact area as tire loading [50,51]. Cylindrical specimens similar to Marshall specimens were submerged in a water at 60 • C for 30 min, then loaded at a speed of 30 mm/min using Marshall loading machine.…”