Journal article 4 views
Enhancing rheological and self-healing properties of aged bitumen using a pyro-rejuvenator from waste tyres
,
Jose L. Concha,
Silvia Caro ,
Luis E. Arteaga-Pérez ,
Jose Norambuena-Contreras
Construction and Building Materials, Volume: 470, Start page: 140639
Swansea University Author:
Jose Norambuena-Contreras
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DOI (Published version): 10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2025.140639
Abstract
The progressive ageing of bitumen in road construction, driven by environmental and traffic conditions, presents a significant challenge in pavement engineering. This ageing process reduces the lifespan of the asphalt roads and their intrinsic self-healing capabilities to seal cracks. To address thi...
| Published in: | Construction and Building Materials |
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| ISSN: | 0950-0618 |
| Published: |
Elsevier BV
2025
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| Online Access: |
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| URI: | https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa69134 |
| Abstract: |
The progressive ageing of bitumen in road construction, driven by environmental and traffic conditions, presents a significant challenge in pavement engineering. This ageing process reduces the lifespan of the asphalt roads and their intrinsic self-healing capabilities to seal cracks. To address this issue from a waste valorisation perspective, the present study proposes using a pyro-rejuvenator (PR), obtained by pyrolysis of waste tyres and optimised by thermal fractionation, as a novel rejuvenating agent for aged asphalts. The effects of the PR at different dosages (3%, 6%, and 9% wt. of bitumen) on the chemical, rheological, and self-healing properties of long-term aged bitumen (PAV) were evaluated. In this study, a commercial rejuvenator (CR) was also used at equivalent dosages for comparison. The effect of the type and content of the rejuvenators on the PAV-aged bitumen samples was evaluated through chemical properties. This analysis included the change in the carbonyl (C = O) and sulfoxide (S2= O) functional groups in bitumen molecules by FTIR-ATR tests. Additionally, rheological tests using a Dynamic Shear Rheometer (DSR) on bitumen samples were also carried out to evaluate changes in the dynamic shear modulus (|G*|) and phase angle (δ) through frequency-temperature sweep tests. A methodology was also developed to quantify the self-healing capability of modified bitumen by measuring the recovery of the |G*| in fatigue DSR tests. The results indicate that the addition of PR up to 6% wt.: i) restored the changes in the carbonyl and sulfoxide functional groups of a PAV-aged bitumen to levels between a short-term aged bitumen (RTFO) and an unaged state; ii) promoted the restoration of the |G*| and of the PAV-aged bitumen to levels comparable to an unaged bitumen, and iii) promoted the healing of the PAV-aged sample. In conclusion, this research highlights the potential of the pyro-rejuvenator as a sustainable solution for improving the rheological and self-healing properties of aged bitumen. These findings also support its use as an alternative additive to enhance the chemo-mechanical properties of aged bitumen, particularly in mixtures with high Reclaimed Asphalt Pavement (RAP) content, among other applications. |
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| College: |
Faculty of Science and Engineering |
| Start Page: |
140639 |