Low Carbon Cold Mix Asphalt Trial Sections Performance at Backburn and Blackpool, United Kingdom

Abstract: Low Carbon Cold Mix Asphalt Trial Sections Performance at Backburn and Blackpool, United Kingdom
Hassan Al Nageim 1, Morgan Lloyd-Sanderson2 , Ian Large3, Paul Fletcher4
1 Professor of Structural Engineering, School of Civil Engineering and Built Environment, Faculty of Engineering, University of Liverpool John Moores (LJMU), Liverpool, UK
2 MSc Postgraduate students at the School of Civil Engineering and Built Environment, LJMU, UK
3 Head of Highway and Traffic Management Services, Blackpool Council, UK
4 Programme Manager, Highway Authority, Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council, UK
Abstract
Hot mix asphalt (HMA) is commonly used for the construction of roads and highways across the globe. Due to the high embodied energy of HMA, questions are raised over its harmful environmental impacts. The high temperatures that HMA is produced at releases a high quantity of CO2 emissions and greenhouse gas emissions added to the other sources of CO2 emissions, which lead to global warming and climate change. The UK government have set out a target to be net zero emission in the construction of roads and highways. To achieve this a sustainable solution is required.
This paper reports the mechanical and durability properties of a new novel fast curing cold mix asphalt for use in road pavements offering a Cold Mix Asphalt (CMA) 85% less CO2 emission compared with construction of HMA. Traditionally CMA has low early strength and long curing times and commonly used to less extent as maintenance materials for road surface repairs. CMA are not allowed by road engineers for use as road surfacing materials.
This research work shows that the addition of hybrid fillers using secondary cementitious materials (SCM) and modified emulsion can improve CMAs properties and the blend allowed the research team to find a sustainable pavement materials solution for the construction of pavement for both low and heavy trafficked roads. The new fast curing CMA mechanical and durability properties in terms of Indirect Stiffness Modulus (ITSM), Rutting, Fatigue and Durability interims of aging, and water sensitivity, reported in this paper are comparable to the those of conventional HMA.
Together with its fast curing and high durability and performance, the new CMA is introducing one of the outstanding sustainable solutions that are required in the construction industry to reduce the carbon emissions and comply with global treaty's such as the Paris agreement set to help reduce the effects of global warming and climate change.
Keywords: Cold mix asphalt, secondary cementatious materials, asphalt mechanical properties, asphalt fatigue, rutting and indirect tensile stiffness