Polyurethane (PU) paving materials, known for their excellent high- and low-temperature performance, suffer from inadequate water resistance. To address this limitation, side-chain alkyl-modified polyurethanes (MG-PU) were synthesized, and multiscale simulations were conducted to elucidate the enhancement mechanisms. Experimental results indicated that a 20 % side-chain alkyl content yielded an optimal balance among mechanical properties, road performance, and water resistance. Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations revealed that MG introduction strengthened non-bonding interactions, primarily van der Waals forces, reducing free volume, and limiting water molecule diffusion, thus improving water resistance. However, exceeding 20 % MG content led to the encapsulation of polar groups, which reduced electrostatic interactions and weakened non-bonding interaction energy. This resulted in higher free volume, and reduced water resistance. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations indicated that MG reduced the PU molecule dipole moment by 18 % and lowered the water molecule adsorption energy by 53.6 %, providing deeper insight into the water resistance mechanism at the electronic level. Pearson correlation analysis confirmed the link between water resistance and micro-level simulations. This study elucidates the effects of water diffusion and intermolecular interactions, providing a theoretical foundation for the design of water-resistant PU paving materials.
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