01610339

Monograph

http://www.trb.org/Main/Blurbs/174937.aspx

This project investigates the mechanical and compaction properties of graphene nanoplatelet (GNP) reinforced asphalt binders and mixtures, which are regarded as a potential candidate for the new generation of multi-functional asphalt pavement materials. The report summarizes the current knowledge of the application of nanotechnology to asphalt materials and provides an overview of basic features of GNP materials with their applications to civil engineering. The report presents a series of experiments evaluating the mechanical properties of GNP-reinforced asphalt binders and mixtures that include a detailed method for material preparation and a quantitative analysis of the effect of GNP on the mechanical properties of asphalt binders and mixtures. It has been found that the GNP can be mixed with asphalt binders without major dispersion problems. This study involves binder and mixture specimens prepared with different amounts and types of GNP. For each type of mix designs, three types of mechanical tests are performed : (i) complex modulus test of the GNP-reinforced binders at room temperature; (ii) indirect tension creep and strength tests of the GNP-reinforced binders and mixtures measuring the creep, relaxation, and strength properties; and (iii) fracture test of the GNP-reinforced mixtures at low temperature measuring the fracture energy. These tests show that the addition of GNP s can greatly enhance the flexural strength of asphalt binders at low temperatures and moderately improve the creep stiffness, but has no adverse effects on relaxation properties. Compared with conventional asphalt mixtures, GNP-reinforced asphalt mixture specimens exhibit an improved strength and, in some cases, an increase in fracture energy. In addition to mechanical properties, the compaction process of GNP-reinforced asphalt mixtures is investigated. Findings show that the addition of GNPs can significantly reduce the number of gyrations needed to compact the mixtures to a target air void content. The GNP also allows successful compaction at a lower temperature. The results of this project indicate that the GNP-reinforced asphalt binders and mixtures exhibit several improved mechanical and compaction properties. These improvements are strongly dependent on the mix design as well as the compaction process. Overall, this new type of asphalt materials has a potential for improving the performance as well as the cost -effectiveness of asphalt pavements.

This NCHRP-IDEA investigation was conducted by the University of Minnesota.

NCHRP IDEA Project 173

English

0000-0001-8331-4504

39p

2016-1

NCHRP-IDEA Program Project Final Report

Final Report

Digital/other

Figures; References; Tables

Asphalt mixtures; Bituminous binders; Compaction; Mechanical properties; Mix design; Nanostructured materials

Innovations Deserving Exploratory Analysis (IDEA) (Program)

Graphene nanoplatelet

Construction; Design; Highways; Materials; Pavements

TRIS, TRB, ATRI

Sep 8 2016 9:37AM