High and low temperature rheological characteristics of linear alkyl benzene sulfonic acid modified bitumen: Fid-Bau Portal

High and low temperature rheological characteristics of linear alkyl benzene sulfonic acid modified bitumen

Kaya Özdemir, Derya

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Highlights • Investigation of utilizing Linear Alkyl Benzene Sulfonic Acid (LABSA) as a binder modifier. • Influences of LABSA on rheological characteristics at low and high temperatures. • Surfactants providing colloidal stability yields better rheological properties. • LABSA modification improved rutting, fatigue and low temperature cracking resistance. • PG of neat bitumen can be enhanced by LABSA modification.

Abstract The rheological properties of bitumen can be improved through modification with various additives. Alkyl benzene-derived amphiphiles have been considered as an effective surfactant that can help stabilizing the asphaltene structures within the bitumen. In this study, linear alkyl benzene sulfonic acid (LABSA) was investigated as a binder modifier by evaluating the rheological characteristics at different temperatures. The rheological properties of bitumen involving different rates of LABSA (1%, 2% and 3% of bitumen weight) together with neat (unmodified) bitumen as a control sample, were studied at critical temperatures using dynamic shear rheometer (DSR) and bending beam rheometer (BBR). The results pointed out that, LABSA modification exhibited increased resistance to rutting and fatigue cracking along with improved low temperature susceptibility characteristics. Furthermore, it also helped to serve heavier traffic levels compared to unmodified bitumen. Based on the study outcomes, LABSA can be considered as a potential modifier for asphalt binder, especially when the rate of utilization is chosen as 2% by bitumen weight.