Title:
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An investigation on the durability of warm mix asphalt
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This thesis considers Warm Mix Asphalt in Ireland. It was sponsored by the National Roads
Authority to explore sustainable materials and technologies. This material is typically mixed
and laid at least 20°C lower than conventional Hot Mix Asphalt. This reduction in
temperature reduces fuel consumption and fume emissions during manufacture and laying.
A review of current literature found that harmonized European standards have to be revised
to make them compliant with the Construction Products Regulation. Although the Regulation
places greater emphasis on the durability of road construction products there is no specific
harmonized test method to asses this. This prompted the research in this thesis that
considered the durability of WMA. The laboratory study assessed four WMA proprietary
additives i.e. CWM, Advera, Rediset LQ and a long chain hydrocarbon wax. This was added
to HRA, SMA14, SMA10 and AC20. A Control Hot Mix Asphalt (HMA) was included for each
mixture. Testing was carried out in accordance with European Standards. This included
Compactibility, ITSM Stiffness and ITFT fatigue. A new durability test called the Dragged
Ravelling Test (DRT) was developed. This is based on a dragged tyre / surface interaction. A
technique using 3D modelling was developed a new parameter called Rut Depth3D to
quantify durability. The research has found that the performance of WMA is comparable to
HMA using the test methods described and materials assessed. WMA can be used in both
surface courses and lower layers. This research has developed methods of data extraction
which allow more accurate prediction of road surface durability.
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