Evaluación mecánica de mezclas asfálticas frías fabricadas con reemplazo de llenante mineral

Abstract

The objective of this research was to evaluate the feasibility of improving the mechanical response of cold-mix asphalt, specified by two highway agencies in Colombia, based on the replacement of natural filler (i.e., rock dust) by Portland cement (or cement). Marshall specimens were fabricated (applying the optimum asphalt-emulsion content determined by means of the Illinois modified Marshall method) with and without replacement of natural filler by cement. These specimens were subjected to the following tests: indirect-tensile strength, resilient modulus, and abrasion resistance using the Los Angeles machine. Corresponding results indicated that the cold-mix asphalt fabricated with natural filler show a poor mechanical response as compared to that of hot-mix asphalt. However, the replacement of natural filler by cement led to increase the cold-mix asphalt mechanical response to that of the hot-mix asphalt, which supports the technical feasibility for its use in low- and medium-traffic roads. These results open the possibility of use this type of test in design and evaluation of MAF, even more by its simplicity and quickness.