Abstract

The importance of additives in bituminous mixtures, which incorporate varying percentages of Reclaimed Asphalt Pavement (RAP) alongside virgin materials, lies in their ability to modify the rheological behavior and chemical composition of the aged binder. These modifications aim to restore the structural performance of the aged binder, approaching that of the virgin binder present in the mixture. Although theoretical frameworks exist to classify additives based on their effects on aged binders, there is still a need for experimental evidence comparing their performance. Additives may act as plasticizers, fluxing the binder to facilitate mixing and compaction, or as regenerators, restoring the chemical and physical properties lost during aging and oxidation by rebalancing maltenes and asphaltenes to improve viscoelastic behavior, fatigue resistance, and long-term durability of themixture.
This research focuses on evaluating three additives in accordance with the UNI/TS 11837:2021 standard, which defines procedures for their characterization. Five different types of binder samples will be tested under laboratory conditions to assess the effects of each additive. Results will be analyzed according to UNI/TS 11837:2021, which provides criteria for classifying additives based on physical properties (e.g., viscosity, flash point, flow point), chemical properties (e.g., composition, biodegradability, additive content), and functional properties (e.g., lubricating capacity, regenerative potential, thermal stability). This approach will allow a systematic assessment of whether each additive functions as a flusante or regenerante.

Biography

PhD candidate in Infrastructure and Transportation, civil engineer specializing in pavement engineering and senior project management. Extensive experience in the design, supervision, and control of road and railway works, including cost analysis, budget management, and technical coordination with public and private entities. His doctoral research focuses on evaluating the influence of chemical additives in bituminous mixtures with high recycled material content (RAP), using an experimental approach to determine the effectiveness and optimal dosage of additives, as well as the physical-chemical and rheological performance of the resulting materials