Influence of Three Different Antistripping Agents on Moisture Susceptibility, Stiffness, and Rutting Resistance of Hot-Mix Asphalt

Abstract

The construction and maintenance of road infrastructure is required for the sustained economic growth of communities and societies. Nonetheless, these activities imply the tangible risk of boosting the depletion of non-renewable resources (e.g., aggregates and binders). A widely used strategy for preserving as much of these natural resources as possible is the design of high-performance composite materials. For instance, antistripping agents (ASAs) are employed to mitigate the loss of adhesive bonding between asphalt binders and aggregates, enhancing the mechanical behaviour of hot-mix asphalts (HMAs). There is still no consensus on the effectiveness of ASAs. In this regard, the present research aims to contribute to the literature by conducting a case study on the influence of three different ASAs (hydrated lime, an amines-based liquid additive, and a silanes-based liquid additive) on the moisture susceptibility, stiffness, and rutting resistance of HMA. For these purposes, indirect tensile strength, indirect tensile stiffness modulus, and uniaxial cyclic compression tests were carried out. Overall, the involved experimental protocol drew the main conclusion that the incorporation of hydrated lime as a mineral filler (at a content of 1.68% by dry weight of aggregates) is capable of improving the mechanical performance of HMAs through decreases in humidity sensitivity and permanent deformation, together with a slight increase in rigidity.