Combined CNN and RNN Neural Networks for GPR Detection of Railway Subgrade Diseases

Vehicle-mounted ground-penetrating radar (GPR) has been used to non-destructively inspect and evaluate railway subgrade conditions. However, existing GPR data processing and interpretation methods mostly rely on time-consuming manual interpretation, and limited studies have applied machine learning methods. GPR data are complex, high...

Quantifying oxygen diffusion in bitumen films using molecular dynamics simulations

Bitumen in asphalt pavements reacts slowly with atmospheric oxygen, resulting in oxidative ageing. This oxidative reaction is strongly dependent on the physical diffusion of the oxygen into the bitumen. This study aims to use molecular dynamics (MD) simulation to investigate the oxygen diffusion into the bitumen film and analyse the effects...

Evaluation of photocatalytic micro-surfacing mixture: road performance, vehicle exhaust gas degradation capacity and environmental impacts

To purify severe air pollution in traffic-intensive urban areas and tunnels, an innovative type of photocatalytic micro-surfacing mixture (PMM) was designed, which was enhanced by polypropylene (PP) fiber and nano-TiO₂. In this work, the road performance of sixteen PMMs with the different contents of PP and nano-TiO₂...

Effect of Bio-oil on Rheology and Chemistry of Organosolv Lignin–Modified Bitumen

Lignin, one of the most abundant natural polymers, has been extensively studied as an additive in bituminous binders. Even though the lignin improves the overall resistance against oxidative aging of bitumen, it could lead to high thermal cracking sensitivity. In this study, a bio-oil (i.e., rapeseed oil) is implemented in lignin-modified...

Surface Modification of Steel Slag Aggregate for Engineering Application in Asphalt Mixture

The proper disposal of steel slag has always been a great challenge for the metallurgical industry in China and around the world. In this work, the steel slag aggregate (SSA) was surface pretreated (PSSA) and applied into asphalt mixture. The adhesive behavior between the bitumen and five different types of aggregates (i.e., limestone, diorite,...

Effect of bio-oil on low-intermediate temperature properties of organosolv lignin-bitumen

Lignin, one of the most abundant natural polymers, has been extensively studied as liquid or solid additive in bituminous binders. Despite the fact the organosolv lignin in bitumen improves the overall resistance against oxidative aging, lignin could lead to binders of high thermal cracking sensitivity. In this study, a bio-based oil is...

Evaluation of Organosolv Lignin as an Oxidation Inhibitor in Bitumen

Organosolv lignin, a natural polymer, has been used in this study as an oxidation inhibitor in bitumen. Particularly, the effect of oxidative aging on the chemical compositional changes and on the rheology of bituminous binders with organosolv lignin and the impact to inhibit oxidation in bitumen were evaluated. Firstly, after analyzing the...

Preliminary study on using lignin as aging inhibitor in bitumen

During oxidative aging, oxygen reacts with active molecules present in bitumen producing polar compounds, principally ketones and sulfoxides, and increasing in the portion of asphaltenes. In general, oxidation reactions in bitumen yields to change its generic chemical composition and finally its colloidal structure deteriorating the physico...

Chemical and Rheological Evaluation of Aged Lignin-Modified Bitumen

As bitumen oxidizes, material stiffening and embrittlement occur, and bitumen eventually cracks. The use of anti-oxidants, such as lignin, could be used to delay oxidative aging and to extend the lifetime of asphalt pavements. In this study, the chemical and rheological effect of lignin on bitumen was evaluated by using a single dosage organsolv...