Experimental investigation of the effect of asphalt binder modified with nanosilica on the rutting, fatigue and performance grade

Abstract

This research was performed to investigate the effect of nano-silica on the asphalt binder performance grade, rutting, and fatigue. The rutting and fatigue performance was tested by Multiple Stress Creep and Recover (MSCR) and time sweep test. The low-temperature cracking was tested by Bending Beam Rheometer test (BBR). The results showed the good performance of nano-silica in high and intermediate temperatures. The results of MSCR test show better performance in rutting and recovery as a result of the elastomeric property of nano-silica even in high temperatures. Nano-silica had a negative effect on the low performance grade of asphalt binder. The addition of nano-silica to asphalt binder increased the fatigue life up to 2.8 times. The Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis was used for chemical analysis.