Feasibility of Pellet Material Incorporating Anti-Stripping Emulsifier and Slaked Lime for Pothole Restoration

Climate change has caused a surge in abnormal weather patterns, leading to a rise in cracks, plastic deformation, and pothole damage on road surfaces. In order to fabricate a ready-mix admixture of warm asphalt mixture (WMA) for pothole restoration, this study aimed to develop a neutralized anti-stripping material in pellet form by extruding a combination of slaked lime and a liquid emulsifier additive. Slaked lime (1% by weight of aggregate) was chosen for its ability to enhance moisture resistance, while a liquid emulsifier (wax + vegetable oil + surfactant + water) was added to create a pellet-type stripping inhibitor for WMA. After successfully fabricating the pellet admixture, this study evaluated the performance of two asphalt mixtures: conventional Slaked Lime Hot Mix Asphalt (LHMA) and the Pellet-Type Anti-Stripping Warm Mix Asphalt (PWMA). Several compatibility tests were conducted to evaluate the quality of the developed material. The results showed that the fatigue resistance of the developed material (PWMA) improved by over 20%, indicating an extended fatigue life for the pavement. The LHMA and PWMA met the quality standard for asphalt mixtures, with a TSR value of approximately 83%. Both mixtures demonstrated improved rutting resistance compared to HMA. The PWMA required 16,500 cycles, while the LHMA required 19,650 cycles to reach a settlement of 20 mm, indicating better moisture resistance than the control mix (13,481 cycles). The modified mixture performed properly in the Cantabro test, with loss rates below 20%, indicating their ability to retain their aggregate structure. The PWMA also showed superior resistance to plastic deformation, with a 12.5% lower phase angle (35°) at a reduced frequency of 10−3. In general, the application of PWMA not only prolongs the pavement lifespan but also reduces the production temperature by over 20 °C, leading to lower emissions and energy consumption. This makes it an environmentally friendly option for pavement applications and contributes to sustainable road construction practices.

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