Self-Healing in Asphalt Pavements for Enhanced Road Sustainability: Opportunities and challenges
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Abstract
Self-healing is a characteristic obtained by the asphalt mixture through production or operational conditions, the application of paving, or by modification of the components constituting the asphalt mixture. The asphalt binder is a hydrocarbon material composed of carbon chains that are bonded together to form the asphalt structure. The chemical composition of the asphalt binder can be modified, and the carbon chains enhanced to mitigate the deterioration resulting from the ageing of the asphalt binder and the volatility of its constituents. This is achieved by using an asphalt binder with a softer penetration grade and a high concentration of low molecular weight components, hence reducing volatility-induced ageing. Alternatively, the capability of the asphalt mixture for self-healing can be achieved through the incorporation of components that repair damage and rebuild cracks in the asphalt pavement, such as regeneration agents, steel fibres, or other materials.
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