Impact of bitumen and aggregate composition on stripping in bituminous mixtures: Fid-Bau Portal

Impact of bitumen and aggregate composition on stripping in bituminous mixtures

Bagampadde, U. / Isacsson, U. / Kiggundu, B. M.

Abstract The impact of bitumen and aggregate composition on stripping was investigated using four bitumens and four aggregates. Moisture sensitivity was assessed based on retained resilient modulus and tensile strength ratio (MRR and TSR, respectively). The results indicate that mixtures from the bitumen with a high acid number exhibited high resilient modulus and tensile strength in the dry condition for all the aggregates. In wet condition, this conclusion did also hold except for one aggregate. Regarding penetration grade, mixtures made with lower penetration grade bitumen exhibited higher resilient modulus and tensile strength, in dry and wet conditions, than those of higher penetration grade. Bitumen characteristics like acid number, penetration grade and molecular size distribution did not influence moisture sensitivity. Mixtures with aggregates containing alkali metals (sodium and potassium) exhibited relatively high moisture sensitivity, regardless of the bitumen used. In contrast, indications of moisture sensitivity were not apparent in mixtures made with aggregates containing calcium, magnesium and iron. Data analysis revealed that variability in moisture sensitivity is attributed to aggregate rather than bitumen. No significant interaction effect between bitumen and aggregate was found on moisture sensitivity. The results indicated good correlation between MRR and TSR in ranking mixtures for stripping.