Behavior of a warm mix asphalt using a chemical additive to foam the asphalt binder

A relatively recent development in asphalt pavement technology, warm mix asphalt (WMA) offers a number of benefits. Although its most important advantage is environmental in nature, it also shows technical and economic benefits. This paper presents and discusses results for the laboratory evaluation of a WMA, which were compared to traditional hot mix asphalts (HMA). Two samples of WMA and two samples of HMA with nominal maximum aggregate sizes of 10 mm and 19.0 mm were evaluated. A liquid chemical solution was used to make WMA (Patent pending for this additive). The purpose of this additive was to induce foaming of the asphalt binder AC 60-70 (PG 58-22). Moisture susceptibility and strength under monotonic and dynamic loading were studied. In addition, a set of tests were performed: Marshall, resilient modulus, permanent deformation and indirect tensile strength. The research led to the conclusion that the WMA chemical additive decreases mix temperatures by 30° C, which in turn, translates into better workability and volumetric composition. Furthermore, the WMA showed higher levels of resistance to both moisture damage and high service temperatures under monotonic and dynamic loading.