One key feature of asphalt aging is the conversion of light components into heavier ones. This study investigates the chemical structural changes of asphalt fractions during aging, with a focus on resins-converted asphaltenes (RCAs), aiming to clarify the conversion mechanism and address controversies over molecular transitions. SARA fractions were aged individually, and RCAs were precisely extracted through secondary separation. Elemental analysis, X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and proton nuclear magnetic resonance (¹H NMR) were used for structural characterization. The results revealed that the introduction of oxygen-containing groups is the dominant aging pathway, outweighing aromatization and condensation reactions. These polar groups disrupted the π–π interactions of aromatic sheets and reduced the proportion of aromatic hydrogen, but enhanced the degree of aromatic sheet aggregation. The chemical structure of RCAs exhibited significant deviations from asphaltenes and resins, characterized by higher oxygen content and aromatic hydrogen levels, along with smaller aromatic sheet dimensions. Therefore, RCAs cannot be equated structurally with traditional asphaltenes enriched in polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations confirmed that the increased polarity of aged resins intensified intermolecular aggregation, thereby reducing solubility in n-heptane. Such aggregation is the main driver of resin-to-asphaltene conversion. This study deepens the understanding of fraction transformations during asphalt aging and provides guidance for accurate modeling and effective rejuvenation strategies.

The molecular composition and structural characteristics of asphalt are fundamental to its performance, particularly in pavement durability and aging resistance. This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of current advances in the molecular-level understanding of asphalt materials. Emphasis is placed on the chemical structure, molecular transformations induced by aging and modification, and their influence on macroscopic properties. The results indicate that a comprehensive understanding of asphalt's molecular structure remains highly challenging due to its intrinsically complex and heterogeneous composition, as well as the limitations of current advanced characterization techniques in resolving such molecular-level intricacies. The mechanisms by which aging and chemical modifiers influence the molecular structure of asphalt are further analyzed, highlighting the importance of refining molecular models to more accurately represent real-world service conditions. Despite recent progress, significant challenges remain in establishing robust correlations between molecular features and engineering performance, highlighting the urgent need for molecular-level indicators capable of predicting asphalt performance. By integrating chemical insights with performance evaluation, this work offers a microscopic perspective for guiding the design of high-performance, multifunctional asphalt materials. The findings contribute to advancing the scientific foundation for asphalt research and support the development of more durable and sustainable pavement technologies.

The pressing demand for sustainable advancements in road infrastructure has catalyzed extensive research into environmentally conscious alternatives for the maintenance and restoration of asphalt concrete pavements. This paper offers a comprehensive review and analysis of bio-based rejuvenators as a promising avenue for enhancing the longevity and sustainability of asphalt. Through a multifaceted exploration, it delves into various aspects of this innovative approach. Providing a thorough overview of bio-based rejuvenators, the study highlights their renewable and environmentally friendly characteristics. It conducts an in-depth examination of a wide spectrum of bio-derived materials, including vegetable oils, waste-derived bio-products, and biopolymers, through a comprehensive survey. The paper evaluates how bio-based rejuvenators enhance aged asphalt binders and mixes, effectively mitigating the adverse impacts of aging. Furthermore, it investigates how these rejuvenators address environmental concerns by identifying compatibility issues, assessing long-term performance, and evaluating economic feasibility. Finally, the paper outlines potential advancements and research pathways aimed at optimizing the utilization of bio-based rejuvenators in asphalt concrete, thereby contributing to the sustainable evolution of road infrastructure.

Given the significant role of asphaltic pavement in surface transportation systems, even minor enhancements in asphalt materials hold the potential for cost savings and reduced environmental impacts. The healing properties of asphalt have drawn interest for sustainability, yet much remains unknown about the causes and influencing factors. To leverage self-healing for extending pavement life, understanding the mechanisms and conditions that stimulate microcrack healing is essential. This study aims to investigate the dynamic progress of microcrack closure in asphalt mastics. The time-series evolution of crack closure led by self-healing is tracked by neutron computed tomography, with image processing facilitating volumetric analysis over a 7 h period. The study examines the healing process in mastic samples with three different sand filler contents (10, 20, and 30%). Results show that for all the investigated samples, the healing rate declines exponentially over time, with 100% recovery not achieved after 7 h at room temperature. Filler content-influenced healing speed and 20% sand demonstrate the best performance. Meanwhile, the healing performance varies within the 10% and 30% groups, depending on initial crack size. Additionally, the study finds that initial crack size influences healing behavior in the samples.

Modified bitumen is a critical material to ensure the durability of asphalt pavements. Traditional polymer-modified bitumen (PMB) has been widely researched and applied in the past two to three decades. Recently, a high-content SBS (Styrene-Butadiene-Styrene) polymer-modified bitumen (HSBSMB) with a higher SBS content of up to 7–9% by weight has started attracting interest from researchers. There are, however, still few specifications or technical guidelines for HSBSMB. To gain a better understanding of HSBSMB, the composition and structure of typical polymer SBS and base bitumen, the micromorphology and micromechanics of HSBSMB, its rheological and aging characteristics, as well as its asphalt mixture and field pavement performance were reviewed comprehensively in this paper. The content covered in this paper is primarily derived from 210 pertinent papers published between 1990 and 2023 in two databases, Web of Science and Google Scholar. It appears from our review that HSBSMB has a stronger internal polymer network than conventional SBSMB and thus exhibits better resistance to rutting, fatigue, and cracking as well as better aging resistance. Furthermore, findings from both laboratory scale and field pavement scale indicate that HSBSMB not only offers higher performance and durability but also leads to reduced pavement structural layer thicknesses in ensuring performance. However, many issues and challenges still remain before HSBSMB will become a viable option for large-scale application in road infrastructure, aspects such as the mechanism of its internal structural changes, the optimization of methods for evaluating its rheological properties, the life cycle assessment of its long-term benefits, as well as the storage stability and workability of HSBSMB. It is hoped that this review will contribute to a better understanding of HSBSMB and promote its application.

The primary objective of this investigation is to evaluate how the incorporation of lignin and high-viscosity modifiers impacts the performance of asphalt binders. Lignin-modified asphalt binder (LBA) and lignin-high viscosity modifier composite-modified asphalt binder (LHA) were created by blending 5 % and 15 % lignin, respectively. To understand the physicochemical interactions, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) were employed to analyze functional groups, thermal properties, and phase changes. Additionally, the linear rheological behavior and nonlinear rheological behavior were evaluated through frequency sweep and multiple stress creep recovery tests. The findings suggest that lignin blends physically with the asphalt binder and high-viscosity modifier without a chemical reaction. Although the onset pyrolysis temperature of lignin is significantly lower than that of asphalt binders, due to its relatively low content, the thermal decomposition of lignin-modified asphalt binders is primarily controlled by the asphalt binder itself and still exceeds the construction temperature. However, lignin incorporation increases the asphalt binder's glass transition temperature, potentially affecting low-temperature performance. Lignin significantly enhances the modulus in the high-frequency region of both unmodified and high-viscosity modified asphalt binder. However, it has a negative effect on the modulus in the low-frequency region of high-viscosity modified asphalt binder. Furthermore, nonlinear creep recovery test results demonstrate that lignin positively contributes to the deformation resistance of unmodified asphalt binder in a content-dependent manner, whereas it reduces the elastic behavior and deformation resistance of high-viscosity modified asphalt binder. In addition, low levels of lignin increase the stress sensitivity of binders, while high levels of lignin decrease it. Despite these effects, the performance of lignin and high-viscosity additive composite-modified asphalt binder remains superior to that of unmodified asphalt binder. These findings offer valuable insights into the combined use of lignin and polymers in asphalt binder modification.

This paper introduces the new RILEM Technical Committee on Alternative Paving Materials – Design and Performance (TC APD), which builds upon the foundational efforts of the former TC 279-WMR focused on the Valorisation of Waste and Secondary Materials for Roads. The TC APD aims to advance the understanding of alternative paving materials, emphasizing their design and performance as essential components of road composites. The committee addresses three areas of investigation, each dedicated to examining the current technological state of the art, the design process and the field performance of composites incorporating alternative paving materials. The manuscript provides a comprehensive overview of the TC's background, outlines the research objectives and activities proposed, and discusses the committee's position within RILEM and the broader research community. Additionally, it details the anticipated outcomes and the potential impact of the committee's work on advancing the field of sustainable road construction.

RILEM Technical Committee 279 WMR is dedicated to the Valorization of Waste and Secondary Materials for Roads. Its Task Group 2 investigated Crumb Rubber (CR) as an additive to enhance the performance of bitumen. CR recycled from end-of-life tires (ELTs) was chosen for this investigation because crumb rubber modified bitumen (CRMB) has been used to improve bituminous mixtures performance for fatigue and reflective cracking. The success of these mixtures is due to the CRMB viscosity that allows the use of an increased amount of bitumen compared to conventional mixtures. Because the viscosity of the CRMB is a function of the CR surface, and presently various types of CRs are produced, it is crucial to verify how these materials perform as a bitumen modifier. Interlaboratory experiments were performed on four types of CR, obtained from mechanical grinding, cryogenic process, waterjet pulverization and reacted and activated rubber. Three base, 35/50, 50/70 and 70/100, bitumen were used for the modification. Mechanical and chemical properties of CRMB were investigated. Despite some differences in the non-mechanical tests, i.e., penetration, softening point and viscosity, the results of the mechanical tests (complex shear modulus) suggest that the bitumen penetration grade ultimately dictates CRMB response.

As a vital and integral component of transportation infrastructure, pavement has a direct and tangible impact on socio-economic sustainability. In recent years, an influx of groundbreaking and state-of-the-art materials, structures, equipment, and detection technologies related to road engineering have continually and progressively emerged, reshaping the landscape of pavement systems. There is a pressing and growing need for a timely summarization of the current research status and a clear identification of future research directions in these advanced and evolving technologies. Therefore, Journal of Road Engineering has undertaken the significant initiative of introducing a comprehensive review paper with the overarching theme of “advanced road materials, structures, equipment, and detection technologies”. This extensive and insightful review meticulously gathers and synthesizes research findings from 39 distinguished scholars, all of whom are affiliated with 19 renowned universities or research institutions specializing in the diverse and multidimensional field of highway engineering. It covers the current state and anticipates future development directions in the four major and interconnected domains of road engineering: advanced road materials, advanced road structures and performance evaluation, advanced road construction equipment and technology, and advanced road detection and assessment technologies.

Globally, the vast majority of waste tires are landfilled, with catastrophic ecological consequences and in particular, serious threats to human health (e.g. fire, pests and soil contamination). Because of the increasing environmental awareness, the use of crumb rubber modified asphalt has become an important recycling strategy for waste tires. The so-called crumb rubber (CR), which is the recycled rubber from tires, has become a common additive in hot mix asphalt mixture due to its improvement of the mechanical performances of asphalt mixtures. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of adding crumb rubber to asphalt mixtures using the dry process by relating mechanical performances with microstructural characterizations. It was possible to observe the influence of conditioning process (time during which the asphalt mixture is kept at a high temperature after mixing) on the mechanical performance of the mixtures that depend primarily on the properties of the crumb rubber used. Specifically, it is shown that the conditioning time has an influence on the Marshall test results as well as the viscosity measurements. By using the Environmental Scanning Electron Microscope (ESEM), the distribution of the crumb rubber within the mixture has been investigated. In particular, the distribution of the crumb rubber by changing the conditioning time is of interest. The results showed that crumb rubber is well dispersed in the asphalt mixture when the conditioning time is increased. The effect of crumb rubber on the microstructure using Atomic Force Microscopy-Infrared Spectroscopy (AFM-IR) indicated that the main chemical change takes place in the para domain and catana or the so-called bee structures diminish on the CR modified bitumen as a consequence of more conditioning time.