Comportamiento del asfalto ecuatoriano ante el envejecimiento.

Abstract

This work´s objective is to characterize the behavior of Ecuadorian asphalt by rheological tests after laboratory aging in the rotary thin film oven (RTFO) and the pressure aging vessel (PAV) with different test times, to make recommendations of theoretical and practical order that allow a better control. The different times used for the RTFO were 70, 85 and 100 minutes and for the PAV of 0, 10, 20, 40 and 60 hours, creating an experimental matrix out of 15 combinations. The asphalt was produced in the Esmeraldas Refinery and classified as PG 64-22. Conventional and advanced rheological tests were performed to the combinations, which were: viscosity at 135 ° C, softening point, master curves, parameter ΔTc, ductility according to Kandhal and Glover-Rowe criteria. For all times in the RTFO and PAV of 20 or 40 hours the asphalt is in the fault zone or very close to it. For 60 hours in the PAV, the three combinations are in the area of total cracking. Advanced rheological tests allow us to conclude that using the 85 min times in RTFO and 20 h in PAV, our asphalt is in the area of failure due to cracking and durability, highlighting that this time in the PAV would cause a 7 to 10 years quality asphalt. It is recommended to use additives to counteract high asphalt aging in the hot mix manufacturing process.