Rutting and Moisture Damage Evaluation of Warm Mix Asphalt Incorporating POFA Modified Bitumen

Abstract

The unwanted disposal Palm Oil Fuel Ash (POFA) can be minimised through its application in road construction. Available literatures have shown that POFA improves the performance of hot mix asphalt (HMA), however, its application in warm mix asphalt (WMA) remains unexplored. This study was carried out to investigate the performance of WMA with POFA modified bitumen. In this study, Five percent POFA and 0.75% Evotherm is blended with 60/70 PEN grade bitumen to produce warm POFA modified bitumen (B3). The B3 binder is subjected Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM), and Contact angle measurements to understand the effect of this modification at microstructural level. Also, the binder is used in preparing dense graded asphalt concrete (AC14) at 140/130 ℃ mixing/compaction temperatures rspectively. Mixture performance tests such as Marshall flow and stability, dynamic creep, Asphalt Pavement Analyser (APA), tensile strength ratio, and boiling water tests were used to examine the resistance of B3 binder to rutting and moisture damage. Results from dynamic creep and APA test shows that the WMA mixtures possess 30% improved rutting resistance than the conventional HMA. On the contrary, the WMA sample parade lower resistance to moisture damage by 10% as revealed by the tensile strength ratio test. All the tested samples satisfied the specification limits for AC14 mixture, thus alleviating any concern regarding the moisture damage vulnerability of WMA mixtures.

Waste Polyethylene Terephthalate granules modified by gamma irradiation and their effect as fine aggregates on moisture damage of asphalt mixtures

“…Previous Literature indicated 80% or above of TSR is considered as an acceptable minimum value for HMA mixtures. TSR values below 80% (AASHTO T283) and 75% (ASTM D4867), indicate that the mixtures are susceptible to moisture damage and therefore, mixtures are classified to be resistant to moisture damage when TSR values are above the threshold value of 80% and greater [30]. As can be seen in the figure, the mixtures made with irradiated WPET marginally outperform their corresponding mixes containing non-irradiated WPET in their resistance against damage due to moisture.…”

Palm Oil Fuel Ash, Garnet Waste and Sawdust as Modified Asphalt Mixture: A Critical Review

“…Penetration Softening Abdulrahman et al [37] performed a study of moisture damage and rutting of warm mix asphalt containing POFA-modified bitumen. This study used 5% POFA with 0.75% evotherm to produce warm POFA-modified bitumen.…”

Exploring the chemical properties and microstructural characterisations of hybrid asphalt binders for enhanced performance

“…This process also establishes a basis for customising the characteristics to satisfy the rigorous requirements of sustainable and high-performance road construction. Multiple studies have investigated using POFA, garnet waste, and sawdust in bitumen modification, mainly relying on advanced chemical testing methodologies [15][16][17]. The XRD and XRF analyses have demonstrated a crucial role in understanding the crystalline structure changes and elemental composition caused by POFA in the bituminous matrix.…”

“…The XRD and XRF analyses have demonstrated a crucial role in understanding the crystalline structure changes and elemental composition caused by POFA in the bituminous matrix. POFA primarily comprises SiO 2 alongside K 2 O, MgO, CaO, and traces of Al 2 O 3 [15,18,19]. The POFA composition can be influenced by many combustion factors, including temperature, duration, and palm oil biomass source [20].…”