Improvement of the resistance to temperature and moisture sensitivity of warm asphalt mixtures by nano – expanded vermiculite as filler substitute: mechanical and statistical evaluation

Saltan M., Kaçaroğlu G.

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PAVEMENT ENGINEERING, cilt.27, sa.1, ss.1-44, 2026 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)

Özet

Temperature and moisture play a significant role in the occurrence of deteriorations observed in flexible pavements. In the context of this study, the initial investigation focused on the resistance of warm asphalt mixtures to temperature and moisture sensitivity. Subsequently, there was an objective to enhance the engineering properties of these mixtures, which were found to be inadequate slightly in the face of these environmental factors. To overcome the deficiencies of the mixtures against these factors, filler in the aggregate gradations of mixtures was substituted with nano-expanded vermiculite at varying ratios. The impacts of additives on reference and modified bituminous binders, loose mixtures and compacted mixtures were ascertained. Statistical methodologies were employed to reduce the number of samples necessary for specific tests and to model the variables using derived mathematical equations. An evaluation of the findings indicated that the incorporation of 1‰ nano-expanded vermiculite in warm asphalt mixtures resulted in enhancements of 50.38%, 76.49%, 17.44%, 43.89% and 7.73%, respectively, in terms of dry strength, wet strength, moisture damage resistance, rutting resistance and cracking resistance, when compared to the reference hot mixture. To summarise, the incorporation of nano-expanded vermiculite improved both the deformation resistance and structural integrity of warm asphalt mixtures.