Effects Of Asphalt Foaming On Damage Characteristics Of Foamed Warm Mix Asphalt

In the asphalt foaming process, the foaming water content (FWC) controls the formation and characteristics of water bubbles. These water bubbles are expected to be expelled from the foamed warm mix asphalt (WMA) during mixing and compaction. However, foaming water may not be completely expelled, rather some of the microbubbles may be trapped in the foamed WMA even after compaction. These microbubbles, or undissipated water, can diffuse over time and cause damage to the foamed WMA. To this end, this study has determined the effects of foaming on the fatigue, moisture damage, and permanent deformation characteristics of foamed WMA. Foamed asphalt and mixtures were designed with varying FWCs and they were tested using linear amplitude sweep, multiple stress creep recovery, four-point flexural beam, and Hamburg wheel tracking tests. Primarily, asphalt foaming dynamics were assessed with a laser-based non-contact method. A simplified viscoelastic continuum damage concept and a three-phase permanent deformation model were used for damage evaluation. The study reveals that foaming softens the binder, which results in slightly higher rutting and moisture susceptibility, though an equivalent or slightly improved fatigue characteristic compared with the regular hot mix asphalt.