Petroleum Science and Technology

ISSN: 1091-6466 (Print) 1532-2459 (Online) Journal homepage: http://www.tandfonline.com/loi/lpet20

Modelling the complex modulus strain

relationship of asphalt binders

Bhupendra Singh, Nikhil Saboo & Praveen Kumar

To cite this article: Bhupendra Singh, Nikhil Saboo & Praveen Kumar (2016) Modelling the
complex modulus strain relationship of asphalt binders, Petroleum Science and Technology,
34:13, 1137-1144, DOI: 10.1080/10916466.2016.1190749

To link to this article: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/10916466.2016.1190749

Published online: 24 Aug 2016.

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Download by: [IIT Indian Institute of Technology - Mumbai] Date: 19 October 2016, At: 22:09
PETROLEUM SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
, VOL. , NO. ,
http://dx.doi.org/./..

Modelling the complex modulus strain relationship of asphalt

binders
Bhupendra Singh, Nikhil Saboo, and Praveen Kumar
Department of Civil Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee, India

ABSTRACT KEYWORDS
The authors present the results and analysis of amplitude sweep tests done on Amplitude sweep; linear
10 different asphalt binders using dynamic shear rheometer. The test was done viscoelasticity; asphalt
from 30 to 70C using a spindle geometry of 25 mm diameter with 1 mm gap binder; optimization;
complex modulus
setting. Matching function concept coupled with a three stage optimization
procedure has been used to propose a new model for evaluating the complex
modulus of bitumen at any given temperature and strain level. The model has
been validated and is found to be fairly accurate for different types of binders.

1. Introduction
Studies have proved that in an asphalt mixture high strain levels are localized in the asphalt binder
attributed to the difference in stiffness between the aggregate and binder phase, which causes the binder
to behave in the non-linear domain (Delgadillo et al., 2012). This phenomenon is more dominant for
polymer modified binders. A plethora of research (Airey et al., 2003; Kim and Little, 2004; Benedetto
et al., 2004) had been dedicated to predict the linear viscoelastic (LVE) characteristics of bitumen. These
techniques were mainly used for predicting variation of complex modulus and phase angle master curves
at any desired reference temperature. A detailed review of all the models can be found in literature (Yusoff
et al., 2011).
Traditionally, amplitude sweep test is conducted using a dynamic shear rheometer (DSR) to obtain the
LVE region for an asphalt binder. LVE is defined as the strain level at which the complex modulus of the
bitumen is 95% of its initial LVE modulus. The following equations are suggested by Strategic Highway
Research Program to find the LVE domain of asphalt binders (Anderson and Kennedy, 1993).
12
= (1)
|G |0.29
0.12
= (2)
|G |0.71
where |G | is the magnitude of the complex modulus; and and are the linearity limits for strain and
stress, respectively. The previous equations suggests that the linearity limits are a function of stiffness of
the binder at a particular temperature and frequency.
Use of polymer-modified binders has been found to be one of the effective techniques to improve the
viscoelastic response of asphalt mixtures (Isacsson and Lu, 1999; Toraldo and Mariani, 2014). Modified
binders are more complex due to the presence of multiphase morphology, which imposes challenges
in using the same binder characterization method as used for the unmodified bitumen (Sengoz and
Isikyakar, 2008).

CONTACT Bhupendra Singh bhupendrasingh.iitr@gmail.com Department of Civil Engineering, Transportation Engineering

Group, Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee, India.
Taylor & Francis Group, LLC
1138 B. SINGH ET AL.

Table . Conventional properties of binders used in the study.

Binder Type Penetration Softening point Penetration index High-temperature PG grade

VG Con.a . PG -XX
VG Con. . PG -XX
PMB (S) Pol.b Mod.c . PG -XX
PMB (E) Pol. Mod. . PG -XX
ST Pol. Mod. . PG -XX
ST Con. . PG -XX
ST Pol. Mod. . PG -XX
ST Con. . PG -XX
ST Con. . PG -XX
ST CRMBd Mod. . PG -XX
a Conventional; b Polymer; c Modied; d Crumb rubber.

The study focuses on studying the applicability of Eq. (1) for different types of asphalt binders and
attempts to model the variation of complex modulus with strain level for different test temperatures and
frequencies. This would help the practitioners to more accurately quantify the non-LVE characteristics
of asphalt binder.

2. Experimental
Ten different asphalt binders were used in the study. The binders were from different sources and com-
prised of both unmodified and modified bitumen. Their description and material properties are pre-
sented in Table 1. The first four binders were used to create the model and the rest of the binders (ST
1-ST 6) were used for validation.
Subsequently we presented a schematic representation of a typical curve obtained in strain sweep test
(Figure 1). The modulus remains constant till a particular strain level and further reduces with increase
in amplitude. The initial constant modulus G0 is the LVE modulus. 1 is the strain at which the modulus
starts decreasing and can be considered as the point for the onset of non-linear behavior. 2 on the other
hand is the strain corresponding to the 95% of the initial modulus. As per specification this strain level
is considered as the LVE region for the asphalt binder.
Amplitude sweep test with strain amplitude varying from 0.01% to 100% using a DSR was performed
on the binders at a fixed frequency of 10 rad/sec. Test temperature was varied between 30 and 70C.

Figure . Schematic representation of amplitude sweep test.

 PETROLEUM SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY 1139

Figure . Experimental result and model t for PMB (E).

4. Results and discussion

4.1. Modelling the variation of complex modulus with respect to strain

The matching function concept (Elseifi et al., 2002) was used to model the variation of complex modulus
with increase in strain amplitude. Figure 1 depicts that the variation of complex modulus with strain
level is similar to the variation of viscosity with shear rate for shear thinning fluids in which the viscosity
decreases with increase in shear rate. A Carreau-Yasuda (C-Y) type equation is proposed to model such
variation. The equation can be mathematically written as
   
G  = G0 1 + (. ) (n1)/ (3)

where |G | is the magnitude of complex modulus; G0 is the LVE modulus, which is typically a function of
temperature and frequency; is the strain amplitude; and , and n are the shape parameters, respec-
tively. (1/) is the strain at which the nonlinearity in the asphalt binder starts. This is represented as 1
(Figure 1).
The first four binders were used for the creation of the model and the remaining binders were used
for its validation. As an example the variation of complex modulus for PMB (E) with respect to increase
in strain is shown from 40 to 70C (Figure 2). Curves for all the binders are not shown here for brevity.
Equation (3) was used to obtain the data fit and the model parameters were obtained using the SOLVER
function in MS Excel. The values were obtained by minimizing the sum of least squares between the
measured and modeled response.
1140 B. SINGH ET AL.

Table . Model parameters after rst optimization.

Binder Temp,C G , Pa n LVE strain (Eq. []), % Actual LVE strain, %

VG . . . .
. . . . . .
. . . . .
. . . . . .
VG . . . . .
. . . . .
. . . . . .
. . . . . .
. . . . . .
PMB (S) . . . . .
. . . . .
. . . . . .
. . . . .
. . . . . .
PMB (E) . . . . .
. . . . .
. . . . .
. . . . . .
. . . . . .

It could be seen (Figure 2) that an excellent data fit was obtained when the measured values were
simulated using Eq. (3) at all the test temperatures. At higher temperatures, conventional binders showed
almost constant response attributed to the domination of Newtonian behavior. Even up to the 100%
strain level there was no decrease in complex modulus values. However, for modified binders, even at
70C a specific LVE region could be perceived.
A three stage optimization procedure was adopted to arrive at the final modeled equation. In the first
stage all the four parameters G0 ,, , and n were optimized. The results from the first optimized process
are presented subsequently (Table 2). From the last two columns it could be seen that there is considerable
difference between the LVE strain as obtained from Eq. (1) and the actual value. Moreover for modified
binders the LVE strain remain unaltered for higher temperatures. But, as can be seen in column 5 that
the value of which represents the beginning of nonlinearity is different at all the temperatures. This
indicates that, though the nonlinearity starts at different strain levels at each temperature, the strain at
which the modulus is 95% of the initial may be the same. In other words the rate of change in nonlinearity
may be different for different binders at each temperature. Hence it was concluded that Eq. (1) is not a

Table . Model parameters after second optimization.

Binder Temp,C G , Pa n

VG . .
. . .
. .
. . .
VG . .
. .
. . .
. . .
. . .
PMB (S) . .
. .
. . .
. .
. . .
PMB (E) . .
. .
. .
. . .
. . .
 PETROLEUM SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY 1141

Figure . Correlation between  and G after second optimization.

Figure . Correlation between n and G after the third optimization.

reliable way of estimating the LVE domain. A better way to define the LVE strain would be to specify 1
instead of 2 . 1 is the reciprocal of obtained from Eq. (3).
It was found that the value of was close to 2 for all the binders irrespective of test temperature. In
the second stage the value of was fixed to 2 and optimization was carried out for remaining model

Table . Model parameters after third optimization.

Binder Temp,C G , Pa n

VG . .
. . .
. . .
. . .
VG . .
. .
. . .
. . .
. . .
PMB (S) . .
. .
. . .
. . .
. . .
PMB (E) . .
. .
. . .
. . .
. . .
1142 B. SINGH ET AL.

Figure . Validation of the proposed model from C.

parameters (i.e. G0 , and n). The values of model parameters obtained after second optimization is
presented in Table 3. Substituting the value of in Eq. (3) yields
   
G  = G0 1 + (. )2 (n1)/2 (4)

It was then attempted to find the possible correlation between G0 (which is the LVE modulus) and
(which represents the LVE limit). The correlation obtained is shown subsequently (Figure 3). This
 PETROLEUM SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY 1143

equation was used in the third stage and finally the parameter n was optimized. The following equation
was obtained after second stage of optimization:
   (n1)/2
G  = G0 1 + ((0.005.G0 0.1932 ). )2 (5)

Plotting n against G0 it was found that a good exponential correlation existed as can be seen below
(Figure 4). The corresponding model parameters are also presented (Table 4). Slight variation in G0
could be seen in the final optimization. This is due to minor adjustments done by the SOLVER plugin to
minimize the variation. Using this correlation the final equation was developed which could be written
as follows:
   (0.92.e((2E06).G0 ) 1)/2
G  = G0 1 + ((0.005.G0 0.1932 ). )2 (6)

Equation (6) is the final derived equation representing the variation of complex modulus with strain
for asphalt binders. The equation is only a function of the LVE modulus, which on the other hand is a
function of frequency and temperature.

4.2. Validation of the modeled equation

The remaining six binders (ST1-ST6) were used to validate the model as given by equation 6. The varia-
tion of all the binders at the test temperatures are shown (Figure 5). The single black line represents the
data fit as obtained through Eq. (6). It can be seen that the model is equitably successful in representing
the variation of modulus with strain. Hence Eq. (6) can be adopted to represent the complex modulus as
a function of strain and the LVE modulus. The LVE modulus on the other hand can be modeled using
one of the several techniques that already exist in literature.

5. Conclusions
The traditional empirical equation relating the LVE strain with the complex modulus of bitumen has
been found to be inappropriate. In general, modified binders are found to be less temperature susceptible
with better strength properties. Matching function method with a three-stage optimization process was
used to propose an equation that could model the variation of complex modulus with strain amplitude.
The offshoot of nonlinear behavior (as given by the reciprocal of model parameter ) for all the binders
is found to be a better way of characterizing the LVE region. The extent of the nonlinearity defined by
the model parameter n can be highly correlated to the linear modulus of the asphalt binders irrespective
of temperature. The model was validated using different types of binder and was found to be in good
alignment with the measured output. The result of the study along with the existing models on LVE
modulus can be successfully used to characterize the viscoelastic (both linear and nonlinear) response
of asphalt binders.

References
Anderson, D. A., and Kennedy, T. W. (1993). Development of SHRP binder specification. No. 62. St. Paul, MN: Association
of Asphalt Paving Technologists.
Delgadillo, R., Bahia, H. U., and Lakes. R. (2012). A nonlinear constitutive relationship for asphalt binders. Mater. Struct.
45:457473.
Di Benedetto, H., Olard, F., Sauzat, C., and Delaporte, B. (2004). Linear viscoelastic behaviour of bituminous materials:
From binders to mixes. Road Mater. Pavement Des. 5:163202.
Elseifi, M., Al-Qadi, I., Flinstch, G., and Masson, J.-F. (2002). Viscoelastic modeling of straight run and modified binders
using the matching function approach. Int. J. Pavement Eng. 3:5361.
Isacsson, U. L. F., and Lu, X. (1999). Characterization of bitumens modified with SEBS, EVA and EBA polymers. J. Mater.
Sci. 4:37373745.
1144 B. SINGH ET AL.

Kim, Y. R., and Little, D. N. (2004). Linear viscoelastic analysis of asphalt mastics. J. Mater. Civil Eng. 16:122132.
Sengoz, B., and Isikyakar, G. (2008). Evaluation of the properties and microstructure of SBS and EVA polymer modified
bitumen. Constr. Build. Mater. 22:18971905.
Toraldo, E., and Mariani, E. (2014). Effects of polymer additives on bituminous mixtures. Constr. Build. Mater. 65:3842.
Yusoff, N. I. M., Shaw, M. T., and Airey, G. D. (2011). Modelling the linear viscoelastic rheological properties of bituminous
binders. Constr. Build. Mater. 25:21712189.