Performance Characterization of Asphalt Mixture Modified with One-component Polyurethane

Abstract

Using polyurethane (PU) modified asphalt for paving purposes has recently gained increasing interest in both academia and industry. This study aims to characterize the engineering performance of the asphalt mixture modified with one-component PU and explore its adhesive mechanism. To achieve this objective, PU modified bitumen and asphalt mixture of two different PU contents (10% and 30%) were prepared. Various laboratory material property tests, such as rotational viscosity test of binder, Marshall test, indirect tensile strength test, Hamburg wheel-tracking test, moisture susceptibility, and indirect tensile fatigue test of PU modified mixture, were performed. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy test was carried out to explore the adhesive mechanism between PU-modified binder and aggregate. The results indicated that the overall performances of asphalt mixture were increased significantly by PU prepolymer, including increased Marshall stability, indirect tensile strength, and resistance to moisture damage, rutting and fatigue damage. It was found that PU prepolymer can react with the hydroxyl groups on the aggregate surface, which contributed to better performance of asphalt mixture. The findings of this study may facilitate the further practical applications of one-component PU-modified bituminous materials in the pavement industry.