Performance of warm mix asphalt containing Moringa oleifera Lam seeds oil: Rheological and mechanical properties

- It investigates the use of Moringa oil in asphalt binder.
- Rheological behavior of asphalt binder was studied.
- Mechanical performance os mixtures with asphalt binder was studied.
- The performance of modified binder was greater when compared to the traditional asphalt binder.

The existence of an environmental crisis resulting from the unbalanced exploration of natural resources is a concerning situation and entails the need for sustainable development. In the paving sector, warm asphalt mixtures, which are produced in lower temperatures than conventional mixtures, reduce the impacts to the environment and workers health, and the energy consumption. Among the techniques developed to the production of warm mixtures, it is highlighted the addition of an oil, usually organic, to the conventional binder, decreasing its viscosity. Moringa oleifera Lam seeds have an oil content varying between 38 and 40% and have antioxidant and lubricant properties. The present work aimed to analyze the rheological properties of asphalt binder and the mechanical properties of asphaltic mixtures using modified binders by the addition of Moringa oil in the contents of 0.5 and 1.0%. It was performed the physical characterization of binders and aggregates used. The Marshall Mix design method was performed and specimens for mechanical tests were produced. The results for Marshall Stability, Flow, Cantabro Loss, Indirect Tensile Strength, Resilient Modulus, Fatigue Life and Dynamic Creep tests were satisfactory when compared to results for the reference sample (using pure binder).