Performance Evaluation of Asphalt Binder Modified with Shear Thickening Fluid

Abstract

This paper aims at using a dilatant or shear thickening fluid (STF) [a non-Newtonian fluid consisting of particles of nano-silica suspended in a liquid medium, i.e., ethylene glycol (EG), which acts as a carrier fluid; proportion 40:60] as additive or modifier of bitumen in order to enhance its viscoelastic properties. A commonly-used performance grading (PG) system, storage stability test, and different conventional and rheological tests were carried out to optimize the dosage of the STF into the bitumen (investigating the influence of 2%, 4%, and 6% of STF on the bitumen) and to define the related properties. The results show that using 4% STF by weight of the binder (an asphalt binder with an 80/100 penetration grade) improves high-temperature viscoelastic properties and bitumen performance grading.