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Performance Assessment of Asphalt Mixture Produced with a Bio-Based Binder
Elena Gaudenzi1, Francesco Canestrari1, Xiaohu Lu2
1Department of Civil and Building Engineering and Architecture, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Via Brecce Bianche, 60131 Ancona, Italy.
Materials (Basel, Switzerland)
|March 6, 2021
Summary
Researchers developed a bio-binder from paper industry by-products for asphalt concrete. This green alternative demonstrated comparable mechanical properties to conventional bitumen, supporting sustainable construction practices.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Civil Engineering
- Sustainable Construction
Background:
- Rising energy costs and demand for petroleum products necessitate sustainable alternatives in construction materials.
- Bio-binders offer a promising route towards circular economy principles and environmental sustainability in asphalt technology.
- Evaluating bio-binder performance is crucial for their adoption in asphalt concrete (AC) production.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the mechanical performance of asphalt concrete incorporating a novel bio-binder.
- To compare the properties of AC with bio-binder against a reference AC made with conventional bitumen.
- To investigate the effects of aging and water on the performance of bio-binder modified AC.
Main Methods:
- A bio-binder was created by blending 10% bio-oil from paper industry by-products with conventional 50/70 penetration grade bitumen.
- Two dense-graded AC wearing courses were prepared in the laboratory: one with bio-binder and one with plain bitumen.
- Mechanical characterization included indirect tensile strength, stiffness modulus, fatigue, and permanent deformation resistance tests, alongside aging and water sensitivity evaluations.
Main Results:
- Asphalt concrete produced with the bio-binder exhibited comparable mechanical properties to the reference AC.
- The bio-binder modified AC maintained its performance irrespective of aging and water conditioning.
- No reduction in mechanical properties was observed in the AC utilizing the bio-binder.
Conclusions:
- The bio-binder derived from paper industry by-products is a viable alternative to conventional bitumen in asphalt technology.
- The use of this bio-binder promotes environmental sustainability and circular economy principles without compromising AC performance.
- Further adoption of bio-binders in asphalt production is highly encouraged.
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