Effects of zeolites and hydrated lime on volumetrics and moisture resistance of foamed warm mix asphalt concrete

The paper concerns the utilization of hydrated lime and zeolites as additives in warm mix asphalt produced with foamed bitumen. The mentioned additives were added to the mixtures in exchange for specific quantities of mineral filler, which amounted to 0.4% and 1.2% of hydrated lime or 0.4% of water-modified and 1.0% of air-dry zeolites in mineral mix. The study investigated warm-produced mixtures with 4.5% and 4.8% binder content and production and compaction temperatures set at 120⁰C and 100⁰C respectively. Additionally, reference hot and warm mixtures were evaluated. The testing included: air void content, indirect tensile strength in dry state and after one freeze-thaw cycle as well as the resulting resistance to moisture and frost damage index. The mixtures incorporating hydrated lime and lower bitumen content of 4.5% exhibited increased air voids and mostly unchanged mechanical performance when compared to the reference warm mix. Increased bitumen content has resulted in significantly improved performance in moisture resistance and compactability which could be compared to that of the reference hot-produced mixture. On the other hand, the incorporation of zeolites in the foamed bitumen mixtures resulted in all cases in increased air void content in the samples. This has apparently led to decreased indirect tensile strength, in both the dry state and after the freeze-thaw cycle. Based on the results it was concluded that the production temperature of the zeolite-bearing mixtures was too low for the zeolite water to significantly improve the mix’ workability and therefore positively affect its mechanical parameters.