Integrated Evaluation of Additive Content and Processing Parameters on Warm-Mix Asphalt Binder Properties via Taguchi Design
Journal of Transportation Engineering Part B: Pavements, cilt.152, sa.4, 2026 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)
- Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
- Cilt numarası: 152 Sayı: 4
- Basım Tarihi: 2026
- Doi Numarası: 10.1061/jpeodx.pveng-2020
- Dergi Adı: Journal of Transportation Engineering Part B: Pavements
- Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus
- Anahtar Kelimeler: Cecabase RT 945, FTIR, Marshall stability, Modified bitumen, Warm-mix asphalt
- Erzincan Binali Yıldırım Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet
Özet
Hot-mix asphalt (HMA) production requires high processing temperatures, which increase energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions, posing serious challenges to environmental sustainability. As a more eco-efficient alternative, warm-mix asphalt (WMA), enable production at lower temperatures and offer significant environmental and economic benefits. The performance of WMA binders depends not only on the type and amount of additive used but also on the combined influence of main production factors, including mixing temperature, time, and speed. In this study, these effects were examined using a Taguchi L16 experimental design. A 70/100 penetration-grade virgin bitumen was modified with a surface-active chemical additive known as Cecabase RT 945 at dosages of 0%, 0.3%, 0.4%, and 0.5% by weight. Binder samples were prepared under controlled conditions with four-level factors for temperature (120°C, 130°C, 140°C, 150°C), mixing time (5, 10, 15, 20 min), and mixing speed (1,000 rpm, 2,000 rpm, 3,000 rpm, 4,000 rpm). The modified binders were evaluated through penetration, softening point, flash point, short-term aging [rolling thin film oven test (RTFOT)], elastic recovery, Marshall stability, stiffness modulus between -15°C and +°C, and FTIR spectroscopy. Results showed that increasing additive content enhanced penetration, elastic recovery, and Marshall stability but reduced softening point and mass loss after aging. Stiffness modulus remained stable at 40°C but significantly decreased at -15°C, indicating improved low-temperature flexibility and enhanced resistance to thermal cracking. The optimal production combination was determined to be 0.3% additive, 140°C mixing temperature, 15-min mixing, and 3,000-rpm mixing speed at a 95% confidence level. This study goes beyond conventional approaches by evaluating the interaction between additive content and key production variables across all levels. Consistent results were obtained even under limited conditions such as reduced mixing time and speed, which are commonly encountered in field practice. As a result, binder behavior could be reliably predicted under varying scenarios, offering a practical and adaptable design strategy. These findings help bridge the gap between laboratory research and on-site application, providing practitioners with a strong foundation for more flexible and sustainable WMA mixtures.