ABSTRACT
ABSTRACT: The scope of the SHRP2 Renewal Project R 06(B) involved evaluating applications of field spectroscopy devices to fingerprint a variety of asphalt materials commonly used in pavement construction. In particular, portable infrared spectrometers in reflection sampling mode were found successful in identifying additives in asphalt binders and emulsions without special sample preparation. An ongoing study targets pavement aging-related changes in chemical composition of asphalt recycled and warm-mix asphalt products over the service life. Powdered samples are collected from road and airport asphalt surfaces in New England and scanned by Attenuated and Diffused Reflectance spectrometers. The absorbance spectra of asphalt samples are processed to quantify aging rate of pavements constructed with non-modified and polymer-, RAP-modified hot and warm mix asphalts. Preliminary results indicate that in-situ oxidation measurements by portable infrared devices can be incorporated in pavement management systems to determine optimal timing of pavement preservation treatments.
