ABSTRACT
The goal of this study was to evaluate the relationship between the chemical composition of asphalt binders, its microstructure, and rheological parameters that are (at the time of this writing) being investigated as potential indicators of the inherent cracking resistance of asphalt binders. A set of binders was produced to have similar performance grade using seven different modifiers combined with one base asphalt binder. Results show that the two potential rheological indicators for cracking resistance do not correlate with each other. Results also show that the different additive types produce different microstructures, in some cases even when used in very small concentrations, which in turn correlate with the changes in the rheological indicators.
