Evaluation of the impact of extended aging duration on visco-elastic properties of asphalt binders

There are variations in the haulage distance between an asphalt mixing plant and the road construction site (field) and this may cause variations in the levels of aging of the asphalt mixture produced. This study evaluates the effects of extended aging durations during mixture transport from the plant to field. The rheological properties of different binders were characterized from the complex modulus, phase angle and Superpave™ rutting parameter. In addition, binder rheological properties changes were calculated using an Arrhenius activation energy equation. A prolonged aging characterization method (PACM) and its gradient (▿PACM) were also proposed to characterize the binder rheology subjected to different aging conditions. The test results showed that the trends in aging differ and depend on binder type, test temperature and aging conditions. The smoothing spline algorithm can be a suitable parameter that can predict the effects of aging on ▿PACM trend.