Laboratory Study on the Effect of Rejuvenator (Rapiol) on the Fatigue Life of Unaged and Aged Asphalt Binder and Hot Mix Asphalt

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 Department of Road and Transportation Engineering, Faculty of Civil Engineering, Semnan University, Semnan, Iran

2 Assistant Professor, Department of Road and Transportation Engineering, Faculty of Civil Engineering, Semnan University, Semnan. Iran

Abstract

Fatigue cracks are considered as one of the most significant pavement failures. The cause of fatigue cracks is the changes in environmental temperature conditions and repeated loading of vehicles. Additives can enhance the tensile strength of asphalt pavement layers and increase their life. In this article, through laboratory studies, the effect of using a rejuvenator as an additive in asphalt mixture, called “Rapiol”, on improving the fatigue performance of both unaged and aged asphalt pavements was investigated. To achieve this, the study utilized the Linear Amplitude Sweep (LAS) test at strain levels of 2.5% and 5%, and the Four-Point Bending Beam (4-PBB) test in strain-control mode (at strain levels of 400, 600, and 800 microstrains). The LAS test results indicate that in unaged conditions, the Rapiol rejuvenator improved fatigue life by 7.5% and 3% at strain levels of 2.5% and 5%, respectively. However, in aged samples, fatigue life increased by 4.1% at 2.5% strain but decreased by 21.8% at 5% strain. Moreover, according to the 4-PBB test results, using Rapiol in unaged asphalt mixture samples enhanced fatigue life by 42% and 284% at 400 and 800 microstrains, respectively. Similarly, in aged asphalt mixture samples, fatigue life increased by 100% and 500% at 400 and 800 microstrains, respectively.

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Main Subjects

References

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History

  • Receive Date: 05 May 2025
  • Revise Date: 27 June 2025
  • Accept Date: 15 July 2025

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