Laboratory Aging Methods for Simulation of Field Aging of Asphalts

Abstract

This study evaluated several promising laboratory aging methods for simulation of field aging of asphalts. The rheological properties of an asphalt binder after aging in the thin-film oven test (TFOT) and rolling thin-film oven test (RTFOT) processes performed at three different temperatures were compared with those after the California tilt oven, Strategic Highway Research Program (SHRP) pressure air vessel and actual field aging. Nine different modified asphalts made with five different types of polymer modifiers were also evaluated after being subjected to the TFOT and RTFOT at three different temperatures. The results indicate that the RTFOT aging process performed at a temperature of 185° can simulate a 1-yr field aging effect, and the California tilt oven process for a duration of 168 h can simulate 8-yr field aging under typical Florida conditions.