0000000000236480
AUTHOR
G. Giancontieri
Are we correctly measuring the rotational viscosity of heterogeneous bituminous binders?
Modified bituminous binders allow asphalt technologists to design asphalt mixtures with superior performance. However, several recent studies highlighted that due to the complexity of these material, their characterisation can be challenging since common procedures used to characterise neat bitumen might not be adequate. For instance, during high temperature rotational viscosity testing of recycled tyre rubber modified binders (RTR-MB), a number of changes may occur to the sample leading to the here-defined sample stability which in turn provides misleading results. In this study the authors want to first provide a deeper understanding of this phenomenon by a numerical analysis using a besp…
Improved Testing Setup for Real-Time Monitoring of PMBs During Manufacturing and Rotational Viscosity Measurements
Polymer modified binders (PMBs) are a practical solution to design asphaltmixtures with superior performance. Although these polymers often improve bitumen properties to some extent, their final performance are linked to the accurate control of the properties during manufacturing and storage. However, some of the common procedures used to characterise neat bitumen are not suitable with these binders making their characterisation challenging. This study presents a novel laboratory procedure to produce SBS-MB through a real-time monitoring of the rotational viscosity, as well as an attempt to understand the suitability of current testing geometries to measure viscosity of such a complex bitum…
Improving the rheometry of rubberized bitumen: experimental and computation fluid dynamics studies
Abstract Multi-phase materials are common in several fields of engineering and rheological measurements are intensively adopted for their development and quality control. Unfortunately, due to the complexity of these materials, accurate measurements can be challenging. This is the case of bitumen-rubber blends used in civil engineering as binders for several applications such as asphalt concrete for road pavements but recently also for roofing membranes. These materials can be considered as heterogeneous blends of fluid and particles with different densities. Due to this nature the two components tends to separate and this phenomenon can be enhanced with inappropriate design and mixing. Thi…
Quality control of manufacturing and hot storage of crumb rubber modified binders
The ultimate performance of crumb rubber modified (CRM) binders is linked to the accurate control of the properties during manufacturing and hot storage. However, due to their complexity, asphalt technologists find the characterisation of these materials still challenging. In this study, the adoption of a Dual Helical Ribbon (DHR), a novel mixing/measuring device for rotational viscometers, is proposed for the real-time monitoring of CRM binders during manufacturing and hot storage. According to the laboratory results, manufacturing periods of 45-60 min at 195 degrees, as well as storage temperatures not exceeding 150 degrees C, are recommended for this type of modified binders. (C) 2019 El…
Towards more sustainable airfield pavements using life-cycle assessment of design alternatives
Airports are critical infrastructures and their success is paramount to development through tourism, trade and connectivity. Within the airport, the runway pavement must always be in a pristine condition. Consequently, pavement design and maintenance decisions are vital. Authorities must make decisions concerning preferred materials for design and maintenance. Decisions should be balanced by both economic and environmental factors. This paper considers a case study at Falcone Borsellino Airport (PMO), Palermo, Italy, where air traffic has been steadily increasing. Different pavements are proposed: flexible Asphaltic concrete designs with both traditional Asphaltic concrete and using reclaim…
Towards Low-Cost Pavement Condition Health Monitoring and Analysis Using Deep Learning
Governments are faced with countless challenges to maintain conditions of road networks. This is due to financial and physical resource deficiencies of road authorities. Therefore, low-cost automated systems are sought after to alleviate these issues and deliver adequate road conditions for citizens. There have been several attempts at creating such systems and integrating them within Pavement management systems. This paper utilizes replicable deep learning techniques to carry out hotspot analyses on urban road networks highlighting important pavement distress types and associated severities. Following this, analyses were performed illustrating how the hotspot analysis can be carried out to…