Chemical Treatment of Quartzite Aggregates and Its Effect on Moisture Susceptibility of Asphalt Mix
Publication: Journal of Materials in Civil Engineering
Volume 36, Issue 3
Abstract
Quartzite aggregates have poor adhesion with asphalt binder due to the higher silica content present in the mineral composition. Apart from conventional asphalt mixture testing methods, the surface free energy (SFE)-based adhesion evaluation method is most widely used in recent times to predict compatibility between aggregate and asphalt binder and moisture susceptibility in asphalt mixtures. This study tried to improve quartzite aggregates’ adhesion properties by modifying the aggregates’ surface with a nano-organosilicon (NOS), and two silane coupling agents (SCA) were used in modifying the aggregates’ surface. Results showed that surface modifications by chemical treatments reduced the aggregate’s SFE by increasing the aggregate nonpolar components to make a better bond with asphalt binder, which is also a non-polar material. From tensile strength ratio (TSR) results, it is found that the asphalt mixtures prepared with surface-modified aggregates showed better resistance to moisture damage with a 12%–15% increase in TSR. SFE indices like adhesion energy and energy ratio (ER) also showed significant improvement in adhesion between aggregates and asphalt binder, even in the presence of moisture. The ER values were above acceptable limits after surface treatments and showed a 100% increase compared with control mixes. SCA-1 and SCA-2 treatments effectively improved moisture damage in hot-mix asphalt with quartzite aggregates. One-way ANOVA was used to predict the effect of treatment methods and aggregate types on conventional TSR values and advanced SFE indices. The statistical results proved significant improvements in TSR and ER after the treatment of aggregates, but aggregate types do not make significant changes.
Get full access to this article
View all available purchase options and get full access to this article.
Data Availability Statement
The data that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.
Acknowledgments
The authors would like to thank the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) for funding this research project (Project ID: RP0038).
References
AASHTO. 2014. Standard method of test for resistance of compacted asphalt mixtures to moisture-induced damage. AASHTO T 283. Washington, DC: AASHTO.
Ameri, M., S. Kouchaki, and H. Roshani. 2013. “Laboratory evaluation of the effect of nano-organosilane anti-stripping additive on the moisture susceptibility of HMA mixtures under freeze-thaw cycles.” Constr. Build. Mater. 48 (Nov): 1009–1016. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2013.07.030.
Arabani, M., and G. H. Hamedi. 2011. “Using the surface free energy method to evaluate the effects of polymeric aggregate treatment on moisture damage in hot-mix asphalt.” J. Mater. Civ. Eng. 23 (6): 802–811. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)MT.1943-5533.0000228.
Bagampadde, U., U. Isacsson, and B. M. Kiggundu. 2005. “Influence of aggregate chemical and mineralogical composition on stripping in bituminous mixtures.” Int. J. Pavement Eng. 6 (4): 229–239. https://doi.org/10.1080/10298430500440796.
Bhasin, A., D. N. Little, K. L. Vasconcelos, and E. Masad. 2007. “Surface free energy to identify moisture sensitivity of materials for asphalt mixes.” Transp. Res. Rec. 2001 (1): 37–45. https://doi.org/10.3141/2001-05.
BIS (Bureau of Indian Standards). 1963a. Methods of test for aggregates for concrete, Part 1: Particle size and shape. BIS 2386. New Delhi, India: BIS.
BIS (Bureau of Indian Standards). 1963b. Methods of test for aggregates for concrete, Part 3: Specific gravity, density, voids, absorption and bulking. BIS 2386. New Delhi, India: BIS.
BIS (Bureau of Indian Standards). 1963c. Methods of test for aggregates for concrete, Part 4: Mechanical properties. BIS 2386. New Delhi, India: BIS.
BIS (Bureau of Indian Standards). 1969. Methods of test for petroleum and its products: Flash and fire point by cleaveland (open) cup. BIS 1448. New Delhi, India: BIS.
BIS (Bureau of Indian Standards). 1971. Method of test for determination of stripping value of road aggregates. BIS 6241. New Delhi, India: BIS.
BIS (Bureau of Indian Standards). 1978a. Methods for testing tar and bituminous materials: Determination of ductility. BIS 1208. New Delhi, India: BIS.
BIS (Bureau of Indian Standards). 1978b. Methods for testing tar and bituminous materials: Determination of loss on heating. BIS 1212. New Delhi, India: BIS.
BIS (Bureau of Indian Standards). 1978c. Methods of testing tar and bituminous materials: Determination of penetration. BIS 1203. New Delhi, India: BIS.
BIS (Bureau of Indian Standards). 1978d. Methods for testing tar and bituminous materials: Determination of softening point. BIS 1205. New Delhi, India: BIS.
BIS (Bureau of Indian Standards). 1978e. Methods for testing tar and bituminous materials: Determination of specific gravity. BIS 1202. New Delhi, India: BIS.
BIS (Bureau of Indian Standards). 1978f. Methods for testing tar and bituminous materials: Determination of viscosity Part—2. BIS 1206. New Delhi, India: BIS.
BIS (Bureau of Indian Standards). 2013. Paving bitumen: Specification. BIS 73. New Delhi, India: BIS.
Chakravarty, H., and S. Sinha. 2020. “Moisture damage of bituminous pavements and application of nanotechnology in its prevention.” J. Mater. Civ. Eng. 32 (8): 03120003. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)MT.1943-5533.0003293.
Chen, W., V. Karde, T. N. H. Cheng, S. S. Ramli, and J. Y. Y. Heng. 2021. “Surface hydrophobicity: Effect of alkyl chain length and network homogeneity.” Front. Chem. Sci. Eng. 15 (1): 90–98. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11705-020-2003-0.
Chen, X., Y. Jiang, T. Xu, S. Liu, W. Zhang, and X. Gan. 2022. “Surface modification of basalt aggregate by coupling agent to improve the interfacial adhesion with asphalt binder.” J. Mater. Civ. Eng. 35 (8): 1–11. https://doi.org/10.1061/JMCEE7.MTENG-15776.
Cheng, D. 2002. Surface free energy of asphalt-aggregate system and performance analysis of asphalt concrete based on surface free energy. College Station, TX: Texas A&M Univ.
Cheng, X., J. Liu, C. Han, X. Zhang, and Z. Wu. 2023. “Silane coupling agent impact on surface features of modification of basalt fibers and the rheological properties of basalt fiber reinforced asphalt.” Constr. Build. Mater. 366 (Feb): 130182. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2022.130182.
Ding, G., X. Yu, F. Dong, Z. Ji, and J. Wang. 2020. “Using silane coupling agent coating on acidic aggregate surfaces to enhance the adhesion between asphalt and aggregate: A molecular dynamics simulation.” Materials 13 (23): 5580. https://doi.org/10.3390/ma13235580.
Guo, W., X. Guo, J. Li, Y. Li, M. Sun, and W. Dai. 2019. “Assessing the effect of nano hydrophobic silane silica on aggregate-bitumen interface bond strength in the spring-thaw season.” Appl. Sci. 9 (12): 2393. https://doi.org/10.3390/app9122393.
Haldar, S. K., and J. Tišljar. 2014. Chapter 1—Rocks and minerals. Edited by S. K. Haldar and P. Tišljar, 1–37. Oxford, UK: Elsevier.
Han, S., S. Dong, M. Liu, X. Han, and Y. Liu. 2019. “Study on improvement of asphalt adhesion by hydrated lime based on surface free energy method.” Constr. Build. Mater. 227 (Dec): 116794. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2019.116794.
Hao, H., A. Zhang, Y. Cheng, and P. Cong. 2022. “The modification mechanisms of silane coupling agent (SCA) on the physical properties of thermosetting polyurethane asphalt binder (PUAB).” Constr. Build. Mater. 350 (Apr): 128836. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2022.128836.
IBM. 2023. IBM SPSS statistics for windows. Armonk, NY: IBM.
IRC (Indian Roads Congress). 2009. Specifications for dense graded bituminous mixes. IRC 111. New Delhi, India: IRC.
Khodaii, A., V. Khalifeh, M. H. Dehnad, and G. H. Hamedi. 2014. “Evaluating the effect of Zycosoil on moisture damage of hot-mix asphalt using the surface energy method.” J. Mater. Civ. Eng. 26 (2): 259–266. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)MT.1943-5533.0000819.
Kumar, P., and P. Anand. 2011. “Laboratory study on moisture susceptibility of dense graded mixes.” J. Transp. Eng. 138 (1): 105–113. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)TE.1943-5436.0000306.
Lesueur, D. 2009. “The colloidal structure of bitumen: Consequences on the rheology and on the mechanisms of bitumen modification.” Adv. Colloid Interface Sci. 145 (1–2): 42–82. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cis.2008.08.011.
Li, C., H. Wang, C. Fu, S. Shi, Q. Liu, P. Xu, Q. Liu, D. Zhou, Y. Cheng, and L. Jiang. 2023. “Effect and mechanism of waste glass powder silane modification on water stability of asphalt mixture.” Constr. Build. Mater. 366 (Feb): 130086. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2022.130086.
Little, D. N., and A. Bhasin. 2006. Using surface energy measurements to select materials for asphalt pavement. Washington, DC: Transportation Research Board.
Lv, X., W. Fan, J. Wang, M. Liang, C. Qian, H. Luo, G. Nan, B. Yao, and P. Zhao. 2019. “Study on adhesion of asphalt using AFM tip modified with mineral particles.” Constr. Build. Mater. 207 (Feb): 422–430. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2019.02.115.
Min, Y., Y. Fang, X. Huang, Y. Zhu, W. Li, J. Yuan, L. Tan, S. Wang, and Z. Wu. 2015. “Surface modification of basalt with silane coupling agent on asphalt mixture moisture damage.” Appl. Surf. Sci. 346 (Aug): 497–502. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apsusc.2015.04.002.
Moghadas Nejad, F., A. R. Azarhoosh, G. H. Hamedi, M. J. Azarhoosh, H. Hamedi, and M. J. Azarhoosh. 2012. “Influence of using nonmaterial to reduce the moisture susceptibility of hot mix asphalt.” Constr. Build. Mater. 31 (Jun): 384–388. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2012.01.004.
MORTH (Ministry of Road Transport and Highways). 2013. Specifications for road and bridge works. New Delhi, India: MORTH.
Peng, C., P. Chen, Z. You, S. Lv, R. Zhang, F. Xu, H. Zhang, and H. Chen. 2018. “Effect of silane coupling agent on improving the adhesive properties between asphalt binder and aggregates.” Constr. Build. Mater. 169 (Mar): 591–600. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2018.02.186.
Preethi, S., R. B. Tangadagi, M. Manjunatha, and A. Bharath. 2020. “Sustainable effect of chemically treated aggregates on bond strength of bitumen.” J. Green Eng. 10 (9): 5076–5089.
Ran, W., H. Zhu, X. Shen, and Y. Zhang. 2022. “Rheological properties of asphalt mortar with silane coupling agent modified oil sludge pyrolysis residue.” Constr. Build. Mater. 329 (Feb): 127057. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2022.127057.
Saha, A., B. Singh, and S. Biswas. 2017. “Effect of nano-materials on asphalt concrete mixes, a case study.” Eur. Transp. 65 (1): 1–12.
Sakthivel, S. N., A. Kathuria, and B. Singh. 2022. “Utilization of inferior quality aggregates in asphalt mixes: A systematic review.” J. Traffic Transp. Eng. 9 (5): 864–879. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jtte.2022.03.001.
Sarkar, D., M. Pal, and A. K. Sarkar. 2014. “Laboratory evaluation of asphalt concrete prepared with over burnt brick aggregate treated by Zycosoil.” Int. J. Civ. Environ. Struct. Constr. Archit. Eng. 8 (12): 1243–1247. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.1097389.
Singh, M., P. Kumar, and A. K. Anupam. 2016. “Effect of type of aggregate on permanent deformation of bituminous concrete mixes.” Road Mater. Pavement Des. 17 (2): 417–433. https://doi.org/10.1080/14680629.2015.1091374.
Speight, J. G. 2015. Asphalt materials science and technology. Amsterdam, Netherlands: Elsevier.
Tencio, D., A. Baldi, J. P. Aguiar-Moya, and A. L. Elizondo-Salas. 2022. “Improving the accuracy of mineral aggregate surface energy estimation based on goniometry.” Road Mater. Pavement Des. 24 (3): 744–760. https://doi.org/10.1080/14680629.2022.2043931.
Van Oss, C. J., R. J. Good, and M. K. Chaudhury. 1988. “Additive and nonadditive surface tension components and the interpretation of contact angles.” Langmuir 4 (4): 884–891. https://doi.org/10.1021/la00082a018.
Xiong, L., W. Gong-xun, J. Xiao-zhi, and Z. Hu Zhi. 2023. “Investigation of performance and modification mechanism of ceramic-polishing-powder-modified asphalt mastic.” Road Mater. Pavement Des. 24 (4): 919–934. https://doi.org/10.1080/14680629.2022.2052939.
Zhao, Y., K. Wen, J. Wang, Z. Yang, and M. Qin. 2022. “Preparation, characterisation, and anti-icing properties of superhydrophobic coatings on asphalt mixture.” Int. J. Pavement Eng. 1–15. https://doi.org/10.1080/10298436.2022.2118271.
Zydex Industries. 2018. Material safety data sheet of Zycotherm. Gujarat, India: Zydex Industries.
Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Journal of Materials in Civil Engineering
Volume 36 • Issue 3 • March 2024
Copyright
© 2023 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: May 25, 2023
Accepted: Aug 10, 2023
Published online: Dec 23, 2023
Published in print: Mar 1, 2024
Discussion open until: May 23, 2024
Authors
Metrics & Citations
Metrics
Citations
Download citation
If you have the appropriate software installed, you can download article citation data to the citation manager of your choice. Simply select your manager software from the list below and click Download.