Investigation of optimum cecabase RT BIO10 additive ratio and its effects in warm mix asphalts

Flexible pavement is the most widely used among flexible, rigid, and composite road pavements worldwide. Using Hot Mix Asphalt (HMA) in flexible coatings negatively affects the environment due to high CO2 emissions and energy consumption. Warm mix asphalt (WMA) technologies have become increasingly popular worldwide over the last few decades as they allow asphalt mixtures to be produced and compacted at lower temperatures than traditional hot mix asphalts. One of the most common chemical additives used in WMA production is Cecabase RT BIO10. In the study, Cecabase RT BIO10 was added to pure bitumen with 50/70 penetration at four different levels: 0%, 0,3%, 0,4% and 0,5% by weight. Experimental plans were created using the Taguchi L16 orthogonal array. The mixtures were prepared at mixing temperatures of 110°C, 120°C, 130°C and 140°C, for 15, 20, 25 and 30 minutes, with a mixing speed of 1000, 2000, 3000 and 4000 RPM. Penetration test, softening point test, flash point test, rotational thin film oven test (RTFOT), elastic recovery test and Marshall stability test were applied to the prepared mixtures and the effects of these parameters and levels on the binder were investigated. The additive increased the penetration of pure bitumen and decreased the softening point value. The elastic recovery percentage of modified bitumen increased and RTFOT mass loss decreased. The additive caused an increase in the Marshall stability value. As a result of optimizations using the Taguchi Method, the optimum levels were found to be 0,4% Cecabase RT BIO10 ratio, 140°C mixing temperature, 30 minutes mixing time and 1000 RPM mixing speed.