Towards a better rheological investigation of the oxidative ageing of bituminous mixes: frequency versus time characterisation
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: Ageing is a major cause of bituminous pavement hardening and premature degradation. This study evaluates the effect of laboratory ageing on the viscoelastic properties of bituminous mixes through time and frequency domain characterisation and physicochemical analysis. Three thermo-oxidative ageing durations (0, 4 and 9 days) were considered. RTFOT and PAV tests were conducted on fresh bitumen, followed by FTIR and asphaltene content analysis. Tensile creep-recovery and complex modulus tests characterised aged and unaged mixes. The Huet-Sayegh and Generalised Maxwell models were used to simulate axial strain evolution. The results show that stiffness moduli increase with ageing. Rheological parameters (R-value, Ec) correlated with ageing duration. Creep compliance decreased over time, with a strong correlation between steady-state creep viscosity (η0) and the combined ageing index (ICO + ISO) across all tested temperatures.
Language: English
Subfield: Civil and Structural Engineering
Field: Engineering
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W4408562110