ASU Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Crumb rubber use in asphalt mixtures using wet process technology has been in practice for years in the United States with good performance history; however, it has some drawbacks that include the need for special blending equipment, high rubber-binder temperatures, and longer waiting time at mixing plants. Pre-treated crumb rubber technologies are emerging as a new method to produce asphalt rubber mixtures in the field. A new crumb rubber modifier known as Reacted and Activated Rubber (RAR) is one such technology. RAR (industrially known as “RARX”) acts like an Enhanced Elastomeric Asphalt Extender to improve the engineering properties of the binder and mixtures. It is intended to be used in a dry mixing process with the purpose of simplifying mixing at the asphalt plant. The objective of this research study was first to perform a Superpave mix design for determination of optimum asphalt content with 35% RAR by weight of binder; and secondly, analyse the performance of RAR modified mixtures prepared using the dry process against Crumb Rubber Modified (CRM) mixtures prepared using the wet process by conducting various laboratory tests. Performance Grade (PG) 64-22 binder was used to fabricate RAR and CRM mixtures and Performance Grade (PG) 70-10 was used to fabricate Control mixtures for this study. Laboratory tests included: Dynamic Modulus Test, Flow Number Test, Tensile Strength Ratio, Axial Cyclic Fatigue Test and C* Fracture Test. Observations from test results indicated that RAR mixes prepared through the dry process had excellent fatigue life, moisture resistance and cracking resistance compared to the other mixtures.

Asphalt binder is a complex viscoelastic hydrocarbon, whose performance depends upon interaction between its physical and chemical properties, both of which are equally important to the successful understanding of the material. Researchers have proposed various models linking linear viscoelastic (LVE) and microstructural parameters. However, none of these parameters provide insight into the relationship in the non- linear viscoelastic NLVE domain. The main goals of this dissertation are two fold. The first goal is to utilize the technique of Laser Desorption Mass Spectroscopy (LDMS) to relate the molecular structure of asphalt binders to its viscoelastic properties. The second goal of the study is to utilize different NLVE characterization tools and analysis procedures to get a clear understanding of the NLVE behavior of the asphalt binders. The goals of the study are divided into four objectives; 1) Performing the LDMS test on asphalt binder to develop at the molecular weight distributions for different asphalts, 2) Characterizing LVE properties of Arizona asphalt binders, 3) Development of relationship between molecular structure and linear viscoelasticity, 4) Understanding NLVE behavior of asphalt binders through three different characterization methods and analysis techniques.

In this research effort, a promising physico-chemical relationship is developed between number average molecular weight and width of relaxation spectrum by utilizing the data from LVE characterization and the molecular weight distribution from LDMS. The relationship states that as the molecular weight of asphalt binders increase, they require more time to relax the developed stresses. Also, NLVE characterization was carried out at intermediate and high temperatures using three different tests, time sweep fatigue test, repeated stress/strain sweep test and Multiple Stress Creep and Recovery (MSCR) test. For the intermediate temperature fatigue tests, damage characterization was conducted by applying the S-VECD model and it was found that aged binders possess greater fatigue resistance than unaged binders. Using the high temperature LAOS tests, distortion was observed in the stress-strain relationships and the data was analyzed using a Fourier transform based tool called MITlaos, which deconvolves stress strain data into harmonic constituents and aids in identification of non-linearity by detecting higher order harmonics. Using the peak intensities observed at higher harmonic orders, non-linearity was quantified through a parameter termed as “Q”, which in future applications can be used to relate to asphalt chemical parameters. Finally, the last NLVE characterization carried out was the MSCR test, where the focus was on the scrutiny of the Jnrdiff parameter. It was found that Jnrdiff is not a capable parameter to represent the stress-sensitivity of asphalt binders. The developed alternative parameter Jnrslope does a better job of not only being a representative parameter of stress sensitivity but also for temperature sensitivity.

Crumb rubber use in asphalt mixtures by means of wet process technology has been in place for several years in the United States with good performance record; however, it has some shortcomings such as maintaining high mixing and compaction temperatures in the field production. Organosilane (OS), a nanotechnology chemical substantially improves the bonding between aggregate and asphalt by modifying the aggregate structure from hydrophilic to hydrophobic contributing to increased moisture resistance of conventional asphalt mixtures. Use of Organosilane also reduces the mixing and compaction temperatures and facilitates similar compaction effort at lower temperatures. The objective of this research study was first to perform a Superpave mix design for Crumb Rubber Modified Binder (CRMB) gap-graded mixture with and without Organosilane; and secondly, analyse the performance of CRMB mixtures with and without Organosilane by conducting various laboratory tests. Performance Grade (PG) 64-22 binder was used to create the gap-graded Hot Mix Asphalt (HMA) mixtures for this study. Laboratory tests included rotational viscometer binder test and mixtures tests: dynamic modulus, flow number, tensile strength ratio, and C* fracture test. Results from the tests indicated that the addition of Organosilane facilitated easier compaction efforts despite reduced mixing and compaction temperatures. Organosilane also modestly increased the moisture susceptibility and resistance to crack propagation yet retaining equal rutting resistance of the CRMB mixtures.

The built environment is responsible for a significant portion of global waste generation.

Construction and demolition (C&D) waste requires significant landfill areas and costs

billions of dollars. New business models that reduce this waste may prove to be financially

beneficial and generally more sustainable. One such model is referred to as the “Circular

Economy” (CE), which promotes the efficient use of materials to minimize waste

generation and raw material consumption. CE is achieved by maximizing the life of

materials and components and by reclaiming the typically wasted value at the end of their

life. This thesis identifies the potential opportunities for using CE in the built environment.

It first calculates the magnitude of C&D waste and its main streams, highlights the top

C&D materials based on weight and value using data from various regions, identifies the

top C&D materials’ current recycling and reuse rates, and finally estimates a potential

financial benefit of $3.7 billion from redirecting C&D waste using the CE concept in the

United States.

Pavement management systems and performance prediction modeling tools are essential for maintaining an efficient and cost effective roadway network. One indicator of pavement performance is the International Roughness Index (IRI), which is a measure of ride quality and also impacts road safety. Many transportation agencies use IRI to allocate annual maintenance and rehabilitation strategies to their road network.

The objective of the work in this study was to develop a methodology to evaluate and predict pavement roughness over the pavement service life. Unlike previous studies, a unique aspect of this work was the use of non-linear mathematical function, sigmoidal growth function, to model the IRI data and provide agencies with the information needed for decision making in asset management and funding allocation. The analysis included data from two major databases (case studies): Long Term Pavement Performance (LTPP) and the Minnesota Department of Transportation MnROAD research program. Each case study analyzed periodic IRI measurements, which were used to develop the sigmoidal models.

The analysis aimed to demonstrate several concepts; that the LTPP and MnROAD roughness data could be represented using the sigmoidal growth function, that periodic IRI measurements collected for road sections with similar characteristics could be processed to develop an IRI curve representing the pavement deterioration for this group, and that pavement deterioration using historical IRI data can provide insight on traffic loading, material, and climate effects. The results of the two case studies concluded that in general, pavement sections without drainage systems, narrower lanes, higher traffic, or measured in the outermost lane were observed to have more rapid deterioration trends than their counterparts.

Overall, this study demonstrated that the sigmoidal growth function is a viable option for roughness deterioration modeling. This research not only to demonstrated how historical roughness can be modeled, but also how the same framework could be applied to other measures of pavement performance which deteriorate in a similar manner, including distress severity, present serviceability rating, and friction loss. These sigmoidal models are regarded to provide better understanding of particular pavement network deterioration, which in turn can provide value in asset management and resource allocation planning.

Chloride solutions have historically been used to stabilize roads and to prevent dust; however, very little work has been done on investigating the soil stabilizing benefits from interactions between salt solutions and different soil types. The primary goal of this research was to analyze the feasibility of utilizing a salt waste product as an economically and environmentally responsible means of dust control and/or soil stabilization. Specifically, this study documents an investigation leading to the understanding of how the addition of saline based waste products, when using a soil stabilizer, modifies the strength behavior of soils.

The scope of work included the evaluation of current literature, examination of the main challenges meeting relevant governmental regulations, and exploring the possibility of using saline waste to improve roadways.

Three soils were selected, treated with varying amounts of salt (calcium chloride, CaCl2), and tests included soil composition and classification, correlation of soil characteristics and salt, and obtaining strength parameters that are typically used in pavement design and analysis. The work effort also included the determination of the optimum dosage of salt concentration for each soil. Because Lime treatment is also commonly used in soil stabilization, one of the soils in this study included a treatment with Lime for comparison purposes.

Results revealed that when salt concentration was increased, a decrease in the plasticity index was observed in all soils. A modest to considerable strength gain of the treated material was also observed for two of the soils; however, a strength loss was observed for the third soil, which was attributed to its low clay content.

When comparing the soil corrosive potential, the additional salt treatment showed promise for increasing strength, to an extent; however, it changes the chemical properties of the soil. The soils prior to treatment were corrosive, which could be managed with appropriate techniques, but the salt increases the values to levels that could be potentially cost prohibitive if salt was used by itself to treat the soil.

The pavement design and performance investigation revealed that the Vineyard soil treated at 16% CaCl2 had an improvement that is comparable to the Lime treatment. On the other hand, the Eager soil showed very little pavement performance improvement at 8% CaCl2; this goes back to the effect of acid on the clay mineralogy. It was also postulated that using salt by-products to stabilize highway shoulders could be beneficial and save a lot of maintenance money when it comes to cleaning unwanted vegetation. A salt saturated soil structure could help in dust control as well.

Future environmental challenges for salt leaching that could affect agriculture in developing countries will still need to be carefully considered. The chlorine levels in the soil would increase, and if not treated, can potentially have corrosive effects on buried structures. Future research is recommended in this area and to also evaluate soil stabilizing properties of varying proportions of Lime and salt using the approach provided in this study.