Effects of Aging on an Asphalt Mixture Type HMA-10

Abstract

When an asphalt mixture ages, its mechanical properties change. These changes impact on mix resistance and durability when these comprise asphalt pavements. This study measured the changes in the properties of a hot mix asphalt (HMA) when short and long term aging processes are simulated, by subjecting the mix to conditioning protocols STOA (Short-Term Oven Aging) and STOA+LTOA (Long-Term Oven Aging). The evaluated properties were resistance under monotonic load (Marshall test) and resistance under cyclic load (permanent deformation, resilient modulus - Mr, and fatigue). As a general conclusion obtained in the study, when the mix ages, it increases its stiffness under cyclic and monotonic load, and increases its fatigue resistance when the load mode is stress-controlled. However, this increase in stiffness could affect the mix in terms of fragility or when it is subjected to low temperature climates and when it is used to make thin asphalt layers.