Advanced Characterization of Asphalt Concrete Mixtures Reinforced with Synthetic Fibers
Publication: Journal of Materials in Civil Engineering
Volume 30, Issue 11
Abstract
This study evaluates the behavior of fiber-reinforced asphalt mixtures using advanced material characterization and performance prediction models. The polymeric nature of the proprietary blend of polyolefin and aramid fibers used warrants examining the contribution of the fibers not only to the physical network of the mixture but also to the extent of modification of the asphalt binder upon mixing. The effect of adding these synthetic fibers on the performance of asphalt concrete mixtures is assessed in the state of compression to investigate the resistance to rutting by (1) using a viscoelastoplastic continuum damage (VEPCD) model to provide an accurate and realistic assessment, and (2) by conducting a mechanistic-empirical (ME) analysis using Pavement ME software because it is the state of practice in pavement design and analysis. Upon addition of fibers, the developed VEPCD models indicate an overall improvement in the performance in terms of predicted strain in response to a given stress profile. Fibers are found to impose a faster recovery of viscoelastic strains during rest periods and lower strains during loading when added to a warm mix asphalt (WMA) mix containing unmodified binder. Fibers are also found to reduce the viscoplastic strains of both hot mix asphalt (HMA) and WMA mixtures at 5°C and of HMA mixture at 35°C. The performance improvement due to fibers is enhanced when using fibers of shorter length, using fibers in mixtures with wax-based additives, or in mixtures with coarser gradations.
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Acknowledgments
This work was made possible by the NPRP award [NPRP 5-506-2-203] from the Qatar National Research Fund (a member of Qatar Foundation). The statements made herein are solely the responsibility of the authors. The financial support of the Lebanese National Council for Scientific Research is appreciated. In addition, the authors acknowledge the support of the staff in the Civil Engineering Laboratory at the American University of Beirut. The assistance of Jad Khalil is also appreciated.
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Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Journal of Materials in Civil Engineering
Volume 30 • Issue 11 • November 2018
Copyright
©2018 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Feb 10, 2018
Accepted: Jun 4, 2018
Published online: Sep 11, 2018
Published in print: Nov 1, 2018
Discussion open until: Feb 11, 2019
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