A state-of-the-art review of asphalt aging behavior at macro, micro, and molecular scales

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

1-24-2025

Department

Department of Civil, Environmental, and Geospatial Engineering

Abstract

This paper provides an exhaustive examination of asphalt aging behavior at macro, micro, and molecular scales, incorporating a survey of pertinent literature on diverse aging tests, SARA (Saturates, Aromatics, Resins, and Asphaltenes) analysis, alterations in asphalt properties post-aging, asphalt aging kinetics, the incorporation of modifiers to augment anti-aging attributes, and the application of microscopic analysis and molecular simulation methods in studying asphalt aging. Research shows that aging increases asphalt viscosity, softening point, complex shear modulus, and creep stiffness while reducing penetration, phase angle, ductility, and creep rate. Also, aging induces structural changes in asphalt, forming ketone and sulfoxide groups, altering surface properties, and modifying molecular size. The paper also explores inconclusive or controversial areas in this field, like ultraviolet aging settings, lab-field aging correspondence, SARA ratio shifts, asphalt-aggregate adhesion change, glass transition temperature alteration, aging kinetics, empirical aged asphalt molecular models, ReaxFF simulations, and quantum mechanics studies, offering valuable insights for further research of asphalt aging.

Publication Title

Construction and Building Materials

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