Performance evaluation of a lightweight epoxy asphalt mixture for bascule bridge pavements

This paper proposes a lightweight epoxy asphalt mixture (LEAM) for pavement on bascule bridges. The material properties of LEAM are evaluated with the Marshall test, indirect tensile test, wheel tracking test, and bending beam test. Moreover, the structural performance of LEAM is evaluated by a finite element numerical analysis for a bascule bridge with LEAM pavement. Test results show that the LEAM has a good resistance to moisture damage, permanent deformation, and low-temperature cracking. The LEAM with a 70% lightweight aggregate replacement percentage has been found to have the best effect on deadweight reduction as well as the other performance measures. Moreover, the analytical result shows that LEAM can reduce pavement stress significantly when compared to an epoxy asphalt mixture, which indicates that the LEAM has a good structural performance.

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► The lightweight epoxy asphalt mixture (LEAM) for bascule bridge pavements is developed.
► The LEAM can significantly reduce the dead weight of the bridge deck pavements.
► The LEAM has rather good strength as well as its pavement performance.
► The LEAM pavement has a better structural performance than other asphalt pavements.