Multiscale Evaluation of Asphalt Aging Behaviour: A Review

Abstract

The performance of asphalt pavement will deteriorate gradually due to oxidation, also named the ageing of asphalt binders. In this study, the research progress on the multiscale evaluation of asphalt aging behaviour in the past decade was reviewed to further analyse the evolution law of asphalt aging behaviour and determine the asphalt aging mechanism. Firstly, artificial aging methods were introduced, the factors affecting asphalt aging behaviour were analysed, and the changes of asphalt properties before and after aging were identified. Secondly, the methods and research progress in terms of the evaluation of asphalt aging degrees were summarised from the macro-, mesoscopic-, micro-, and nanoscales. Finally, considering extensively studied rheological properties as an example, the correlations among the rheological properties of asphalt in the aging process and the conventional physical properties, chemical composition, microscopic properties, nano-molecular dynamics, and other parameters were analysed. The results show that various scales are interrelated, and the multiscale evaluation of asphalt aging can provide a more comprehensive prediction of the extent of asphalt aging. The correlation between multiple scales enables a thorough analysis of the mechanism of asphalt aging and the evaluation of asphalt aging behaviour at multiple scales.