Application of the Arrhenius Equation in Predicting the Temperature Susceptibility of Unmodified and Modified Bituminous Binder

Bitumen is a temperature-susceptible material. The performance of the bitumen largely depends on the sensitivity of its characteristic properties to the variation in temperature. This paper uses the Arrhenius equation to predict the temperature-sensitive properties of various bitumens. Three modified and unmodified binders of various grades were tested under study shear, frequency mode (oscillatory shearing), and time mode (multiple stress creep and recovery) at different temperatures from 10 to 70ºC. This paper focuses on the activation energy to understand the temperature-susceptible behavior of the bitumen and the influence of aging on the bitumen. To analyze the temperature susceptibility of the bitumen, Steady shear, MSCR, and LAOS tests were performed. From these tests, parameters such as viscosity, dynamic modulus, energy dissipation, and creep compliance at different temperatures were observed to follow the Arrhenius equation. The activation energy constant of the Arrhenius equation is found to vary with the characteristic function used. It is also statistically proven that the activation energy depends on the shear rate or shear stress, indicating that the temperature-susceptible properties of the bitumen are shear rate-dependent. Also, as the bitumen ages, its temperature-susceptible properties improve. Doi: 10.28991/CEJ-2024-010-03-015 Full Text: PDF