Evaluation of rheological behavior and performance to permanent deformation of nanomodified asphalt mixtures with carbon nanotubes

Abstract

Rutting is one of the most important issues associated with asphalt pavements. This defect leads to the accelerated degradation of the pavement and considerably reduces the level of road safety. This paper reports on the results obtained in the optimization of nanocomposite asphalt containing carbon nanotubes (CNTs) with regard to the resistance to permanent deformation. Nanocomposite asphalts were prepared with the addition of different proportions of CNTs. Based on a study on the empirical and rheological properties of the nanocomposites developed, optimization of the CNT content incorporated into the conventional asphalt binder was carried out. Then two asphalt mixtures were investigated, a reference mixture and a nanomodified mixture with CNTs (optimal content). The rheological evaluations were carried out on four-point fatigue equipment and the resistance to permanent deformation was tested in a traffic simulator (wheel tracking test). The results demonstrate the efficient contribution of the nanocomposite to the resistance to permanent deformation.