Nanoclay-modified asphalt materials: Preparation and characterization

Abstract The objective of this study is to review existing literature in the area of nano-modification of asphalt and proceed to apply nano-materials to asphalt to improve the performance. This study integrates literature review, preparation, and characterization of nano-modified asphalt materials. In the experimental testing montmorillonite, nanoclay at 2% and 4% by weight of asphalt was blended in asphalt binder at a high temperature to exfoliate the nanoclay within the asphalt. The asphalt binder was then characterized using the Superpave™ rotational viscosity, dynamic shear modulus, and direct tension test. The rotational viscosity results indicate that the addition of the two types of nanoclay, Nanoclay A and Nanoclay B, increased the rotational viscosity by an average of 41% and 112%, respectively, across test temperatures 80, 100, 130, 135, 150 and 175 °C. It was found that the dynamic shear complex modulus ( G *) value increases significantly across a range of testing temperatures (from 13 to 70 °C) and loading frequencies (0.01–25 Hz). With 2% Nanoclay A reinforcement in the asphalt binder, the complex shear moduli generally increased by 66% while the 4% Nanoclay A reinforcement in the asphalt binder generally increased the shear complex moduli by 125%. The 2% and 4% Nanoclay B increased the shear complex moduli by 184% and 196%, respectively. In terms of direct tension strength, the use of Nanoclay A and Nanoclay B reduced the strain failure rate of the original binder while the secant or direct tension moduli showed increase with the addition of the nanoclays. In furtherance of this research, nanoclay-modified asphalt is being tested at percentages higher than 4% to underscore the fact that nanoclays may have the potential to reduce rutting and cracking.

[1]  D. Ghile.  Effects of Nanoclay Modification on Rheology of Bitumen and on Performance of Asphalt Mixtures , 2006 .

[2]  L. Drzal,et al.  Low temperature binder-aggregate adhesion and mechanistic characteristics of polymer modified asphalt mixtures , 2007 .

[3]  P N Balaguru,et al.  Nanotechnology and concrete: Background, opportunities and challenges , 2005 .

[4]  W. Ehrfeld,et al.  Functional micro-concrete: The incorporation of zeolites and inorganic nano-particles into cement micro-structures , 2000 .

[5]  B. Birgisson,et al.  DEVELOPMENT AND FIELD EVALUATION OF ENERGY-BASED CRITERIA FOR TOP-DOWN CRACKING PERFORMANCE OF HOT MIX ASPHALT (WITH DISCUSSION) , 2004 .

[6]  Ian Flood.  Towards a vision for information technology in civil engineering : proceedings of the Fourth Joint International Symposium on Technology in Civil Engineering, November 15-16, 2003, Nashville, Tennessee , 2003 .

[7]  Tao Ji,et al.  Preliminary study on the water permeability and microstructure of concrete incorporating nano-SiO2 , 2005 .

[8]  P. Stroeve,et al.  Background on Polymer-Layered Silicate and Silica Nanocomposites , 2005 .

[9]  C. Moorehead.  All rights reserved , 1997 .

[10]  Zhong Wu,et al.  Permanent deformation analysis of hot-mix asphalt mixtures with simple performance tests and 2002 mechanistic-empirical pavement design software , 2006 .

[11]  Arun Shukla,et al.  Simulation of Asphalt Materials Using Finite Element Micromechanical Model with Damage Mechanics , 2003 .

[12]  Muniram Budhu,et al.  Modeling of granular materials - a numerical model using lattices , 1997 .

[13]  Reynaldo Roque,et al.  Development and Field Evaluation of Energy-Based Criteria for Top-down Cracking Performance of Hot Mix Asphalt , 2004 .

[14]  M. Asce,et al.  Nanotechnology and Information Technology in Civil Engineering , 2003 .

[15]  Samit Roy,et al.  E-Glass/Polypropylene Pultruded Nanocomposite: Manufacture, Characterisation, Thermal and Mechanical Properties , 2007 .

[16]  Bao Shuang-yan.  Performance of nano-calcium carbonate and SBS compound modified asphalt , 2007 .

[17]  Reynaldo Roque,et al.  Guidelines for Use of Modified Binders , 2005 .

[18]  Louay N. Mohammad,et al.  Investigation of the Use of Recycled Polymer-Modified Asphalt in Asphaltic Concrete Pavements , 2004 .

[19]  Hussain U Bahia,et al.  Advanced Characterization of Crumb Rubber-Modified Asphalts, Using Protocols Developed for Complex Binders , 2001 .

[20]  J. Ou,et al.  Abrasion resistance of concrete containing nano-particles for pavement , 2006 .

[21]  Samit Roy,et al.  E-Glass—Polypropylene Pultruded Nanocomposite: Manufacture, Characterization, Thermal and Mechanical Properties , 2007 .

[22]  H. Bahia,et al.  PERFORMANCE EVALUATION OF MODIFIED ASPHALT BINDERS , 2002 .

[23]  Mahabir Panda,et al.  Utilization of Reclaimed Polyethylene in Bituminous Paving Mixes , 2002 .

[24]  Animesh Das,et al.  Flexural Fatigue Characteristics of Asphalt Concrete with Crumb Rubber , 2000 .

[25]  A Toepel,et al.  TIRE RUBBER IN HOT MIX ASPHALT PAVEMENTS , 2004 .

[26]  Weiqing Zhang,et al.  Surface modification of montmorillonite and application to the preparation of polybutadiene/montmorillonite nanocomposites , 2007 .

[27]  C. Hwang,et al.  A Study on the Microstructure of the Nano Concrete Composite Materials , 2003 .

[28]  S. Hesp,et al.  New Class of Reactive Polymer Modifiers for Asphalt: Mitigation of Moisture Damage , 2000 .

[29]  Samuel H Carpenter,et al.  Mechanism of Interaction of Asphalt Cement with Crumb Rubber Modifier , 1999 .

[30]  Shaopeng Wu,et al.  Preparation and properties of montmorillonite modified asphalts , 2007 .

[31]  S. Hesp,et al.  New Class of Reactive Polymer Modifiers for Asphalt: Mitigation of Low-Temperature Damage , 2000 .

[32]  Transportation Officials.  National Asphalt Roadmap: A Commitment to the Future - Asphalt Pavement Research and Technology , 2007 .

[33]  B Chollar,et al.  CMCRA: WHERE THE TIRE MEETS THE ROAD , 1997 .

[34]  Bin Li,et al.  Effect of montmorillonite on properties of styrene–butadiene–styrene copolymer modified bitumen , 2007 .