Asphalt and Bitumen Ageing

Abstract

The ageing of asphalt and the associated changes in its performance are largely due to the ageing binder it contains. Ageing makes bitumen harder and more brittle. The hardening and embrittlement of the binder has a direct effect on the performance characteristics of the asphalt. To date, there is no laboratory method for addressing the ageing of asphalt that can be used to simulate ageing processes in a practical manner analogous to the long-term ageing of bitumen.