Influence of using nonmaterial to reduce the moisture susceptibility of hot mix asphalt

Moisture damage in an asphalt mixture can be defined as the loss of strength, stiffness and durability due to the presence of moisture leading to adhesive failure at the binder–aggregate interface and/or cohesive failure within the binder or binder–filler mastic. In order to improve adhesion and reduce moisture sensitivity in asphalt mixtures, two different approaches have become apparent. One approach suggests that the aggregate surface be coated by a suitable agent that will reverse the predominant electrical charges at the surface and thus reduce the surface energy of the aggregate. In this study, the effects of nanomaterial, namely Zycosoil, on the moisture damage of asphalt mixtures were studied. Two types of aggregates that represent a considerable range in mineralogy, limestone and granite, were evaluated during the course of this study. To assess the impact of Zycosoil on moisture damage of hot mix Asphalt, control mixes (without Zycosoil) and mixes containing Zycosoil in dry and wet conditions were tested using indirect tensile-strength (ITS) and indirect tensile fatigue (ITF) tests. The results showed that limestone has less moisture damage potential compared to granite. The ratio of wet/dry values of ITST and ITFT for mixes containing Zycosoil was higher than the control mix for two types of aggregate. However, in mixtures made of granite aggregate, using Zycosoil is more effective. As the density of silanol groups is more in its surface, these groups are hydrophilic, and Zycosoil migrates to the polar water-loving surface, reacts with the silanol groups and forms siloxane bond, the strongest bond in nature, and creates a molecular level hydrophobic zone.

► In mixtures having granite aggregate, Zycosoil is more effective.
► Limestone and granite cause TSR to increase to 3% and 14%.
► Mixtures containing granite have more fatigue life.
► Using Zycosoil in asphalt mixtures increases their fatigue life for two reasons.