Effect of Aging Scenarios on the Adhesion and Moisture-Induced Damage Potential of Asphalt Binder

Abstract: Aging affects the mechanical and chemical properties of asphalt binders. While several studies have investigated the effect of aging on the mechanical properties of the asphalt binder, such as resistance to rutting and cracking, the impact of different aging scenarios on the adhesion of the asphalt binders to different local aggregates needs to be studied. Therefore, this study was performed to quantify the effect of different aging conditions of an asphalt binder on its adhesion to a limestone and a granite aggregate in dry conditions and after subjecting the specimens to moisture. The adhesion of asphalt binder to aggregates was measured by conducting pull-off tests using a binder bond strength (BBS) device. For this purpose, a PG 58-28 asphalt binder prepared at different aging conditions, namely unaged, short-term aged in a rolling thin-film oven, and long-term aged in a pressure aging vessel for 20 hours, 40 hours, and 60 hours, was used to prepare samples to conduct BBS tests. Samples were tested in dry conditions and after moisture conditioning to determine the effect of moisture on adhesive and cohesive bonds. The results of this study are expected to provide a better understanding of the evolution of the asphalt binder-aggregates adhesion with time.