Rheological Performance of Bio-Char Modified Asphalt with Different Particle Sizes

Authors

Ran Zhang, Chang’an University
Qingli Dai, Michigan Technological UniversityFollow
Zhanping You, Michigan Technological UniversityFollow
Hainian Wang, Chang’an University
Chao Peng, China University of Geosciences

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

9-15-2018

Department

Department of Civil, Environmental, and Geospatial Engineering

Abstract

To improve the performance of petroleum asphalt, bio-char was used as a modifier for a petroleum asphalt binder, in this study. The rheological properties of bio-char modified asphalt binders were compared with different particle sizes and contents, with one control and one flake graphite modified asphalt binder. Specifically, the bio-char modifiers with two particle sizes (ranging from 75 μm–150 μm and less than 75 μm) and three contents of 2%, 4%, and 8% were added into the asphalt binder. A flake graphite powder with particle sizes less than 75 μm was used as a comparison modifier. The Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) image showed the porous structure and rough surface of bio-char as well as dense structure and smooth surface of flake graphite. A Rotational Viscosity (RV) test, Dynamic Shear Rheometer (DSR) test, aging test, and Bending Beam Rheometer (BBR) test were performed to evaluate the properties of bio-char modified asphalt in this study. Both modifiers could improve the rotational viscosities of the asphalt binders. The porous structure and rough surface of bio-char lead to larger adhesion interaction in asphalt binder than the smooth flake graphite. As a result, the bio-char modified asphalts had better high-temperature rutting resistance and anti-aging properties than the graphite modified asphalt, especially for the binders with the smaller-sized and higher content of bio-char particles. Furthermore, the asphalt binder modified by the bio-char with sizes less than 75 μm and about 4% content could also achieve a better low-temperature crack resistance, in comparison to other modified asphalt binders. Thus, this type of bio-char particles is recommended as a favorable modifier for asphalt binder.

Publisher's Statement

© 2018 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. Publisher’s version of record: https://doi.org/10.3390/app8091665

Publication Title

Applied Sciences

Recommended Citation

Zhang, R., Dai, Q., You, Z., Wang, H., & Peng, C. (2018). Rheological Performance of Bio-Char Modified Asphalt with Different Particle Sizes. Applied Sciences, 8(9), 1-15. http://doi.org/10.3390/app8091665
Retrieved from: https://digitalcommons.mtu.edu/michigantech-p/86

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Version

Publisher's PDF