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Effect of Aging on Asphalt Binders in the State of Qatar: A Case Study
Abstract
Aging of asphalt binders has a significant impact on the rheological properties of asphalt binders and thus affects the performance of asphalt pavements. The rate of binder aging is accelerated at high temperatures. This study presented a case study on the effect of aging of the asphalt binder properties in the State of Qatar where asphalt mixtures experience harsh environmental conditions of elevated temperatures. The researchers collected field cores from five-year old trial pavement sections in Qatar, recovered the binder and tested to evaluate the change in the rheological properties of the binders. Test results indicated that there is a significant effect of aging on the rheological properties of asphalt binder in Qatar. This effect was more prominent in the wearing course of pavements, diminishing with an increase in pavement depth. Binders along the wheel path experienced less aging compared to the shoulder. Aggregate type and mix design methods were also found to be affecting the extent of aging of asphalt binder in the field. Furthermore, the researchers found that the current practice of aging asphalt binders in the PAV to simulate aging in the field is not sufficient for Qatar’s conditions. It is recommended to extend the PAV aging period from the standard 20 hours for a hot climate like Qatar and it might go up to about 70 hours based on the results of this study.
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