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Development of the Asphalt Tribological Test for Low-Energy Mixing and Compaction of Asphalt Mixtures

Current state of practice methods (such as ASTM D2493) to determine mixing and compaction temperatures for asphalt mixtures, which are primarily driven by asphalt rheological properties, especially asphalt viscosity, fail to reasonably explain the mixture workability mechanism and do not consider other important properties of asphalt mix such as aggregate properties and mix gradation. 

To address it, this research study incorporated the principles and knowledge from the tribology field into the asphalt material field to develop a new tribological test to characterize asphalt ability in lubrication and propose an innovative method to more appropriately determine asphalt mixture mixing and compaction temperatures with low-energy consumption and achieving better engineering performance and environmental and economic benefits. This research study presented builds upon a national project funded by the National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP).

 

Dr. Runhua Zhang (English)
Runhua Zhang

Dr. Runhua Zhang is a scientist in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at UW-Madison and leading the research group at the Modified Asphalt Research Center (MARC). Dr. Zhang has over 10 years of experience of conducting research and teaching pavement engineering, with specific focal areas of flexible pavement performance testing and modeling, evaluation of sustainable and innovative bituminous material, study of aging effect on pavement longevity and durability. Dr. Zhang currently serves as the PI for several national projects, including the project from the Department of Energy (DOE) and project funded by National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP) IDEA program. Dr. Zhang authored over 40 publications in high-impact journals and 10 conference papers (both national and international). He has also made more than 20 presentations in professional meetings, conferences, and workshops. He is an active member of the Association of Asphalt Paving Technologists (AAPT) and the International Union of Laboratories and Experts in Construction Materials, Systems and Structures (RILEM), as well as the voted member for Wisconsin Highway Research Program (WHRP).