Date of Award

4-2016

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science in Civil Engineering (MSCE)

Department

Civil Engineering

First Advisor

John E. Haddock

Committee Chair

John E. Haddock

Committee Member 1

Samuel Labi

Committee Member 2

Bobby G. McCullouch

Abstract

Fog seal is a type of treatment that uses a diluted asphalt emulsion to seal and protect an existing asphalt surface from a variety of distresses. Fog seal is sprayed on top of an asphalt pavement surface to improve and protect it from further cracking and raveling. Rejuvenator is also a type of treatment that penetrates into the asphalt pavement and restores its original viscoelastic properties. Similarly, like fog seal, rejuvenators can be sprayed on top of an asphalt pavement surface. The use of rejuvenators has grown rapidly in the past decade. However, little is known about the actual effectiveness of such treatments or possible drawbacks to their use. This study analyzes three of the most commonly used rejuvenators in the United States and determines the benefits and effects of each one.

In this study, the different rejuvenating fog seals were compared regarding improving surface friction, the overall condition of existing asphalt pavements, and the rheological and chemical properties of the binder. The rejuvenating fog seals were Polymer-Modified Rejuvenator (Rejuvenator A), Coal Tar Rejuvenator (Rejuvenator B), and Soybean Rejuvenator (Rejuvenator C). These treatments were applied to thirteen different roads in the southern part of the State of Indiana. Pavement Surface Evaluation and Rating (PASER) and Dynamic Friction Tester (DFT) were used for evaluation of the overall pavement condition and to measure the Coefficient of friction (CF) respectively. The rheological properties of the binders were measured using Dynamic Shear Rheometer (DSR) and the chemical properties (Carbonyl Concentration) of the binders were measured using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR). The samples were then aged in Pressure Aging Vessel (PAV), and the same tests (DSR and FTIR) were conducted again to capture the rate of changes of the rheological and chemical properties. Before and after treatment data for all test methods were collected and analyzed for comparison.

The results from surface friction suggest that Rejuvenator C caused the least surface friction reduction compared to Rejuvenator A and Rejuvenator B while the results from the binder testing indicate that Rejuvenator A and Rejuvenator C provide greater benefit to the binder compared with Rejuvenator B.

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