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An investigation on the durability of warm mix asphalt

This thesis considers Warm Mix Asphalt in Ireland. It was sponsored by the National Roads Authority to explore sustainable materials and technologies. This material is typically mixed and laid at least 20°C lower than conventional Hot Mix Asphalt. This reduction in temperature reduces fuel consumption and fume emissions during manufacture and laying. A review of current literature found that harmonized European standards have to be revised to make them compliant with the Construction Products Regulation. Although the Regulation places greater emphasis on the durability of road construction products there is no specific harmonized test method to asses this. This prompted the research in this thesis that considered the durability of WMA. The laboratory study assessed four WMA proprietary additives i.e. CWM, Advera, Rediset LQ and a long chain hydrocarbon wax. This was added to HRA, SMA14, SMA10 and AC20. A Control Hot Mix Asphalt (HMA) was included for each mixture. Testing was carried out in accordance with European Standards. This included Compactibility, ITSM Stiffness and ITFT fatigue. A new durability test called the Dragged Ravelling Test (DRT) was developed. This is based on a dragged tyre / surface interaction. A technique using 3D modelling was developed a new parameter called Rut Depth3D to quantify durability. The research has found that the performance of WMA is comparable to HMA using the test methods described and materials assessed. WMA can be used in both surface courses and lower layers. This research has developed methods of data extraction which allow more accurate prediction of road surface durability.

Identiferoai:union.ndltd.org:bl.uk/oai:ethos.bl.uk:695316
Date January 2014
CreatorsMitchell, Ruth
PublisherUlster University
Source SetsEthos UK
Detected LanguageEnglish
TypeElectronic Thesis or Dissertation

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