“Study of Thermal Conductivity & Rheological Characterization of Graphene-Modified Asphalt Binder”

Abstract

Temperature-induced rutting is a common problem for asphalt pavements, with the rheological properties of binder being a major factor, accounting for up to 40% of rutting occurrence. With the increase in overloaded commercial vehicles, rutting has become a more frequent issue on highways. To address this problem, there is growing interest in using high thermal conductivity materials in asphalt binders to counter the low thermal conductivity of neat asphalt. In this study, the potential of graphene as a material for enhancing asphalt properties and promoting pavement sustainability was investigated. Graphene is a remarkable material with unique physical, mechanical, thermal, and electrical properties. The study involved modifying VG30 and VG40 asphalt binders with four different proportions of graphene. The modified asphalt binders showed improved properties for high-temperature rutting, while maintaining their storage stability. The viscosity and complex shear modulus of the asphalt binder were enhanced almost twofold by the additive, as verified by the absolute viscosity value. The susceptibility to rutting was tested for both unaged control and modified binders. The study also observed the enhancement of thermal properties of asphalt binder with different graphene dosages using the heat flow meter principle. The results showed that a 2% dosage of graphene increased thermal conductance twofold compared to the control binder. Overall, the study suggests that graphene has great potential for enhancing asphalt binder properties, which can help reduce rutting and improve the sustainability of pavement structures.