Research on the performance of locally developed epoxy asphalt mixes

Abstract

Paper presented at the 26th Annual Southern African Transport Conference 9 - 12 July 2007 "The challenges of implementing policy?", CSIR International Convention Centre, Pretoria, South Africa. ABSTRACT: In China, epoxy asphalt concrete has been widely used for paving the decks of long-span steel bridges because of its excellent performance. As a patent material, most epoxy asphalt used in China has been imported from the USA. The Southeast University Paving Team in China has been studying and developing epoxy asphalt for five years. The details of various laboratory investigations to evaluate the performance of locally developed epoxy asphalt mixes are presented in this paper. In the laboratory tests, rutting, low temperature cracking and fatigue characteristic were evaluated by the wheel track test, the beam bending test and the complex beam fatigue test respectively. Locally developed epoxy asphalt mixes, stone matrix asphalt mix (SMA) and mastic asphalt mix (MA) were tested. Compared with SMA and MA, locally developed epoxy asphalt mixes performed better on resistance to fatigue and permanent deformation. They also performed significantly better on low-temperature properties and resistance to moisture damage. The test results show that locally developed epoxy asphalt mix is an excellent material for steel deck pavement and can offer great performance and economic advantages. It is an optional material for paving long-span steel bridges in China and has good prospects for this application.