Delayed mechanical response in modified asphalt binders. Characteristics, modeling and engineering implications

The research reported herein deals with the analysis of different rheometrical approaches to evaluate the damage-related properties of modified asphalt binders at high service temperatures. Static and repetitive creep experiments were performed to associate specific characteristics of the binders’ time-dependent response to the materials damage resistance in conditions of incipient failure. The model parameter η0 was found to be the most important factor, which controls and predicts the binder resistance to the propagation of a viscous flow. Further data show that this condition applies even if non-linear domains are considered. The concept of intrinsic resistance to non-reversible deformation was consequently introduced and advanced performance-based criteria for technical qualification of modified asphalt binders were proposed.