Impact of reactive oxygen species on bitumen aging – The Viennese binder aging method. (10th October 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Mirwald, Johannes; Maschauer, Daniel; Hofko, Bernhard; Grothe, Hinrich
• Is Part Of: Construction & building materials. Volume 257(2020)
• Publication Date: 2020-10-10
• Subjects: Bitumen aging -- Reactive oxygen species -- Chemo-mechanics -- FTIR -- DSR -- Fluorescence microscopy; Building materials -- Periodicals; 624.18
• DOI: 10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2020.119495
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0950-0618

Abstract

Highlights: A new bitumen aging method – the Viennese Binder Aging (VBA) – has been developed. It incorporates reactive oxygen species (ROS), O3 and NOX, in the aging atmosphere. A 70/100 bitumen is investigated after VBA, RTFOT + PAV and 5 years field ageing. Analysis/Correlation involves FTIR spectroscopy, DSR and fluorescence microscopy. With VBA, a RTFOT + PAV level of aging is surpassed within three days at 80 °C. Abstract: Bitumen aging has a significant impact on the performance and durability of road pavements. To predict the aging behavior of roads and its binder, realistic long-term aging simulation is necessary. The common long-term aging simulation in the laboratory is a Pressure Aging Vessel test (PAV) subsequent to Rolling Thin Film OVen Test (RTFOT). The PAV oxidizes bitumen by applying high pressure and temperature but neglects the presence of reactive oxygen species (ROS) that are found in the atmosphere and near the pavement surface. We present a new method, the Viennese Binder Aging (VBA), that incorporates two ROS (O3 and NOX ) into its ageing atmosphere. This study focuses on the fundamental impact of these ROS by varying their concentration and analyzing their effect on bitumen aging. To compare the VBA to field and PAV aged samples, DSR, FTIR spectroscopy and fluorescence microscopy were applied. Their results revealed that VBA could reach and even surpass RTFOT + PAV level of aging within three days. Their analysis and evaluation will help us to gain a better fundamental understanding of realistic aging and its simulation in the laboratory.