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 0 was found to be the most important factor which controls and predicts the binder resistance to the propagation of a viscous flow. Further data shown 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.