THE IMPACT OF AGEING ON THE BITUMEN STIFFNESS MODULUS USING THE CAM MODEL

Abstract

This article presents the results of the viscoelastic properties of the polymer-modified bitumen produced in Warm Mix Asphalt technology. A Fischer-Tropsch synthetic wax and a liquid surface-active agent (fatty amine) were used as bitumen viscosity-reducing modifiers. All tested parameters were determined after short-term and long-term ageing. The complex modulus G* and phase angle δ were measured with a cone-plate rheometer. All dynamic tests were performed at 60 °C within the frequency range from 0.005 Hz to 10 Hz. On the basis of the rheological index R determined using the Christensen−Anderson−Marasteanu (CAM) model, it was found that the fatty amine additive slowed down the age-hardening process in the bitumen. In contrast, the synthetic wax increased the stiffness of the bitumen at all levels tested, regardless of the type of ageing simulation process.