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Title:

CHEMICAL COMPOSITION OF ASPHALT AS RELATED TO ASPHALT DURABILITY: STATE OF THE ART

Accession Number:

00450691

Record Type:

Component

Availability:

Transportation Research Board Business Office

500 Fifth Street, NW
Washington, DC 20001 USA
Order URL: http://www.trb.org/Publications/Pages/262.aspx

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Order URL: http://worldcat.org/issn/03611981

Abstract:

The literature on asphalt chemical composition and asphalt durability has been reviewed and interpreted relative to the current state of the art. Two major chemical factors affecting asphalt durability are the compatibility of the interacting components of asphalt and the resistance of the asphalt to change from oxidative aging. Historically, studies of the chemical components of asphalt have been facilitated by separation of asphalt into component fractions, sometimes called generic fractions; however, these fractions are still complex mixtures the composition of which can vary significantly among asphalts of different sources. The reaction of asphalt with atmospheric oxygen is a major factor leading to the hardening and embrittlement of asphalt. The hardening phenomenon is primarily a result of the formation in asphalt of polar oxygencontaining functional groups that increase asphalt consistency through strong molecular interaction forces. The identification and characterization of the chemical functional types normally present in asphalt or formed on oxidative aging that influence molecular interactions afford a fundamental approach to relating asphalt composition with asphalt properties and thus the performance of both asphalts and asphalt-aggregate mixtures. In addition to the polar chemical functional groups formed on oxidation, asphalt properties can also be significantly altered by molecular structuring, sometimes called steric hardening. This potentially reversible phenomenon, although highly elusive and difficult to quantify in asphalt pavement mixtures, may also be a major factor contributing to pavement embrittlement.

Supplemental Notes:

This paper appeared in Transportation Research Record N999, The Asphalt Triangle: Supply, Demand, and Technology; and Asphalt Durability.

Corporate Authors:

Transportation Research Board

500 Fifth Street, NW
Washington, DC 20001 USA

Authors:

Petersen, J C

Pagination:

p. 13-30

Publication Date:

1984

Serial:

Transportation Research Record

Issue Number: 999
Publisher: Transportation Research Board
ISSN: 0361-1981

Features:

Figures (7) ; References (89) ; Tables (7)

Old TRIS Terms:

Subject Areas:

Highways; Materials; I31: Bituminous Binders and Materials

Files:

TRIS, TRB

Last Modified:

Feb 28 1986 12:00AM

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