Available online at www.sciencedirect.

com
Available online at www.sciencedirect.com
Energy
Procedia
Energy Procedia 00 (2011)16000–000
Energy Procedia (2012) 1230 – 1236
www.elsevier.com/locate/procedia

2012 International Conference on Future Energy, Environment, and Materials

Workability of Sasobit Warm Mixture Asphalt

Gui-juan Zhaoa , Ping Guob, *
a
School of Architecture and Civil Engineering，Xi’an University of Science and Technology,
Xi’an YanTa Road middle part, Xi’an 710054，China,
b
Xi’an Highway Research Institute ,WenYi south road, Xi’an 710054,China

Abstract

In order to evaluate the workability of warm mixture asphalt objectively, workability testing instrument of the asphalt
mixture had been adopted to evaluate the workability of Sasobit warm mixture asphalt. At first, the feasibility of the
machine was analyzed with asphalt mortar. Then the workability of Sasobit warm mixture asphalt was determined in
different temperature and frequency, and contrasted with hot mixture asphalt. The results show that when the mixing
temperature of Sasobit warm mixture asphalt was reduced 30℃，the workability of Sasobit warm mixture asphalt is
the same with hot mixture asphalt.
© 2011 Published by Elsevier B.V. Selection and/or peer-review under responsibility of International Materials Science Society.
© 2011 Published by Elsevier Ltd. Selection and/or peer-review under responsibility of [name organizer]

Keywords: warm mixture asphalt;Sasobit;workability;mixing temperature;workability test instrument;hot mixture asphalt

1. Introduction

With the increasing depletion of energy and the enhanced awareness of environmental protection,
warm mixture asphalt, as a new asphalt mixture, emerges as the times require. Warm mixture asphalt is a
kind of new material whose mixing temperature situated between hot mixture asphalt and cold asphalt
mixture, and its road performance can be close to or exceed that of hot mixture asphalt. The mixing
temperature of warm asphalt mixture can reduce about 30~60℃ than that of hot mixture asphalt, and then
about 30% energy consumption will be saved, most of harmful gas and dust emission will be reduce also.
Warm mixing technology has very important significance on energy saving, emission reduction and the
health of the construction workers.
Originally workability was an indicator used to evaluate the fluidity of cement concrete. But the
asphalt mixture workability problems also exist, that is the degree of difficulty for asphalt mixing. So far,

* Corresponding author. Tel.:13571911645; fax: 029-87801376.

E-mail address: guijuanzhao@126.com.

1876-6102 © 2011 Published by Elsevier B.V. Selection and/or peer-review under responsibility of International Materials Science Society.
doi:10.1016/j.egypro.2012.01.196
 Gui-juan Zhao
Gui-juan anda Ping
Zhao , PingGuo
Guo/ bEnergy Procedia
/ Energy 1600
Procedia (2012) 1230
(2011) – 1236
000–000 1231

the research on workability of asphalt mixture is less. As everyone knows, with the temperature
decreasing, the binder of asphalt gradually increasing, the liquidity become worse, Accordingly the
asphalt mixture will be difficult to mix, that is, the workability will become worse which will influence
the paving and compaction of asphalt mixture. Therefore, mixing temperature of warm mixture asphalt
decreases, must ensure its good workability, otherwise it will cause difficulty in construction and concrete
compaction. So far, there is not a clear index used to evaluate workability of asphalt mixture objectively.
In order to study whether the additives mixed with asphalt mixture has good workability at low mixing
temperature or not, test instrument of asphalt mixture workability has been studied on the workability of
Sasobit warm mixture asphalt, and has compared and analyzed with the workability of hot mixture
asphalt. Aim to determine the reasonable temperature range of Sasobit warm mixture asphalt.

2. Test principle and equipment

2.1. Test principle

In the mixing of asphalt mixture, the stirring teeth of asphalt mixing pot will be resisted by asphalt
mixture. For different asphalt mixture, the sticky degree is different, the received resistance of stirring
teeth is not the same. If only mixing temperature of mixture was reduced and without taking any other
measures, it will make the received power of stirring teeth increase and mixture is difficult to mix, that is,
the workability is worse. Based on this idea, this paper developed test instrument of asphalt mixture
workability. Through the acquisition of torque size from stirred teeth in the process of asphalt mixture
mixing, the workability of mixture can be judged. And at low mixing temperature, warm mixture asphalt
has the same workability with hot mixture asphalt or not was studied.

2.2. Test equipment

This study used workability test instrument of asphalt mixture to test. Workability test instrument is
improved and processing from ordinary asphalt mixing pot. A torque sensor which was installed on the
stirring teeth of ordinary asphalt mixing pot can obtain torque size in the rotation of stirring teeth, and the
torque can quantify degree of difficulty of mixing for asphalt mixture, it is the workability. The greater
torque expressed worse mixture workability, and conversely, the merrier. In order to study the influence
of different mixing speed on the workability, a frequency conversion device whose frequency variations
is in the range of 0~50Hz was installed, and the device can change rotation rate of stirring teeth. In
addition, corresponding software for data acquisition has been developed. The used workability test
instrument of asphalt mixture shows in Fig 1.

Fig. 1. Workability Testing Instrument of Asphalt Mixture

1232 Gui-juan
Zhao Zhao
Gui-juan a and PingbGuo / Energy Procedia 16 (2012) 1230 – 1236
,Guo Ping / Energy Procedia 00 (2011) 000–000

3. Raw material for test

3.1. Test material and gradation

SBS modified asphalt was used in this test. To make the test and production contact, the mixture ratio
design was conducted, and the synthetic gradation shows in Table 1, the single particle size of machine-
made sand and mineral powder show in Table 2. After testing, all the used aggregate meets relevant
technical requirements. And Marshall specimens were formed and detected according to the requirement
of specifications so as to confirm the optimum asphalt-aggregate ratio is 5.1%.

Table 1. The design gradation of asphalt mixture

Size of mesh (mm) 16.0 13.2 9.5 4.75 2.36 1.18 0.6 0.3 0.15 0.075
The mass percentage(%) 100.0 97.1 83.3 50.4 32.4 22.0 16.2 10.8 7.7 4.7

Table 2. Gradation of machine-made sand and mineral powder

Size of mesh (mm) 16.0 13.2 9.5 4.75 2.36 1.18 0.6 0.3 0.15 0.075
Machine-made sand 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 83.4 52.8 34.9 17.9 8.3 1.4
Mineral powder 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 99.1 83.6

3.2. Warm mix additive

The used warm-mixed agent is organic reducing agent Sasobit from South Africa's Sasol Wax
company in the research. It is long chain aliphatic hydrocarbons from coal gasification process in the
production of Fischer-Tropsch ( FT ), also known as FT paraffin wax. Sasobit is a kind of warm mix
additive with relatively mature technology in the currently market, and has been applied in many
domestic and foreign engineering. But the method of determining the extent of cooling has not been
explicitly put forward in the domestic and foreign research, generally according to the experience, mixing
temperature decreases by 10~30℃ based on hot mixture asphalt. In the study, Sasobit content is 2% of
asphalt quality.

4. Feasibility analysis test of instruments

As the workability test instrument used in the test belongs to exploratory test apparatus, and test
methods is not current specification and standard method. In order to make the test data persuasive, the
feasibility of this instrument must be determined first. Relatively homogeneous asphalt mortar can obtain
the stable test structure in mixing, therefore workability test on asphalt mortar was conducted in the first
to exclude the effect of large size stone on the test accuracy.If the asphalt mortar can obtain stable and
reasonable test data, it shows that the instrument is feasible and can be used to evaluate workability of
asphalt mixture.

4.1. Test methods

According to the actual capacity of mixing pot and stir effect, in accordance with table 2 for aggregate
gradation design. Total quality of machine-made sand and mineral powder is 6000g. The aggregate is
 Gui-juan Zhao
Gui-juan anda Ping
Zhao , PingGuo
Guo/ bEnergy Procedia
/ Energy 1600
Procedia (2012) 1230
(2011) – 1236
000–000 1233

placed in the oven and heated to a target temperature. Set mixing temperature, mixing time and mixing
frequency of test instrument. The machine-made sand will be placed into mixing pot, adding a certain
quality of asphalt, and began mixing. Then adding the mineral powder, continue to mix until the sample
mixing uniform. At this time, data acquisition may be carried out. The instrument collected 10 data per
second and collected 5 minutes. Test temperature respectively using 175℃, 160℃, 140℃, 120℃and
100℃. At a given temperature, respectively acquisition the torque under different frequency ( 50Hz,
40Hz, 30Hz, 20Hz, 10Hz ).

4.2. Test results and analysis

Test results of asphalt mortar workability in different temperature and different frequency show in Fig
2 and Fig 3.
50Hz 40Hz 30Hz 20Hz 10Hz
175℃ 160℃ 140℃ 120℃ 100℃ 4.8

4.8 4.6
4.6 4.4

torque /N·m
4.4 4.2
torque(N·m)

4.2
4
4
3.8
3.8
3.6 3.6

3.4 3.4
3.2 3.2
3 3
50 40 30 20 10 100 120 140 160 175

frequency (HZ) temperature/℃

Fig. 2. Workability comparisons of asphalt mortar in different frequency Fig 3. Workability Comparisons of asphalt mortar in
different temperature

From Fig 2, we can find, in a given mixing temperature, the torque of asphalt mortar reduced with the
mixing frequency reduction by about trend, that is to say, for asphalt mortar, mixing frequency is lower,
its workability is better. From Fig 3, we can also see clearly that the torque increases gradually with
decreasing temperature in a given mixing frequency, and its workability becomes worse, the lower of
temperature, the bigger change range of torque, and more difficult to mixing for mixture. This is
consistent with our knowledge, the lower of temperature will lead to worse workability of mixture. The
instrument can quantitatively represent the workability size of asphalt mixture, so the instrument can be
used to objectively evaluate the workability of asphalt mixture.

5. Workability of warm mixture asphalt

In actual production process, we concerned the workability of asphalt mixture. Especially for warm
mixture asphalt, because the mixing and compaction temperature is low, it is be concerned for warm mix
technique whether to have the same workability and compactness with hot mixture asphalt in low
temperature conditions. According to the gradation design in table 1, aggregate was got ready 7200g, and
workability test of asphalt mixture was conducted, in the test, Sasobit warm mixture asphalt is made from
adding Sasobit wax which is 2% of asphalt quality when the aggregate was dry mixed.Test results of hot
1234 Gui-juan
Zhao Zhao
Gui-juan a and PingbGuo / Energy Procedia 16 (2012) 1230 – 1236
,Guo Ping / Energy Procedia 00 (2011) 000–000

mixture asphalt and Sasobit warm mixture asphalt in different temperature and frequency show in Fig 4
and Fig 5.

175℃ 160℃ 140℃ 120℃ 100℃

4.5

torqu(/N·m) 4

3.5
3
2.5
2
0 20 40 60
frequency (HZ)

Fig. 4. Workability comparison of hot mixture asphalt in different frequency

175℃ 160℃ 140℃ 120℃ 100℃

4.5

4
torque(N·m)

3.5

2.5

2
0 20 40 60
frequency (HZ)

Fig. 5. Workability comparison of Sasobit warm mixture asphalt in different frequency

F From Fig 4 and Fig 5, either hot mixture asphalt or Sasobit warm mixture asphalt, in a mixing
temperature, mixture workability has a common trend that is first increased and then decreased with the
frequency increasing. Mixture workability is best when the mixing frequency is about 30Hz. Compared to
Fig 2, change law of asphalt mixture workability is not consistent with asphalt mortar, this result may
related to nominal maximum size of aggregate. The workability contrast of hot mixture asphalt and
Sasobit warm mixture asphalt when mixing frequency is in 30Hz shows in Fig 6.
 Gui-juan Zhao
Gui-juan anda Ping
Zhao , PingGuo
Guo/ bEnergy Procedia
/ Energy 1600
Procedia (2012) 1230
(2011) – 1236
000–000 1235

Fig. 6. Comparisons on the workability in different temperature

Fig 6 shows that workability of hot mixture asphalt is linear variable differential with decreasing
temperature. As for the Sasobit warm mixture asphalt, the temperature has little effect on mixture
workability when the temperature is higher than 140℃, and the effect of warm-mixed agent on mixture
workability is little when the temperature is lower than 120℃. For SBS hot mixture asphalt, the mixing
temperature is 175℃ in general. By the figures, we can find that the workability of Sasobit warm mixture
asphalt when mixing temperature is 145℃ is equivalent to that of hot mixture asphalt when its mixing
temperature is 175℃. Thus, cooling rate of Sasobit warm mixture asphalt can reach 30℃. Percentage of
void may indirectly react workability and compactness of mixture, therefore percentage of void may be
used to test mixture workability. Using SGC molding specimen of hot mixture asphalt and warm mixture
asphalt when temperature is respectively 175℃ and 145℃, and determining the percentage of void, test
results as shown in Table 3.The test results show that, the difference for percentage of void is not big,
therefore, Sasobit additive can reduce the mixing temperature of mixture about 30℃.
Table 3. Volume index of SGC Specimen

Compaction Theoretical maximum Bulk density

Mixture type Percentage of void (%)
temperature (℃) density (g/cm3) (g/cm3)
Hot mix 165 2.399 4.04
2.500
Sasobit warm mix 135 2.398 4.08

Conclusions

• Workability test instrument of asphalt mixture can objectively react difficult and easy degree of
mixture mixing, that is the workability size.
• Workability of Sasobit warm mixture asphalt was researched and results show that mixing frequency
has a certain influence on mixture workability, it appears the best workability when the mixing
frequency is 30Hz.
• Workability of Sasobit warm mixture asphalt at 145℃ is equivalence with that of hot mixture asphalt
at 175℃, that is to say the cooling rate of Sasobit additives can reach 30℃.
• Through the detection of percentage of void, it is confirmed that percentage of void for warm mix is
equivalence to hot mixture asphalt when mixing temperature was reduced 30℃.
1236 Gui-juan
Zhao Zhao
Gui-juan a and PingbGuo / Energy Procedia 16 (2012) 1230 – 1236
,Guo Ping / Energy Procedia 00 (2011) 000–000

Acknowledgements

Fund project: Country western traffic construction project of science and technology(2006 318 000 07).

References

[1]XUE Ming，LIU Yong.Analysis and Evaluation Method of Cold Patching Ashphalt Mixture Workability.Urban Roads,
Bridges & Flood Control，China: 2007,pp.137-140.
[2] XIA Yang.Design and Performance of Sasobit Warm Mix Asphalt.china.Hunan University，2009.
[3] Wu Chao-fan，Zeng Meng-lan，Wang Mao-wen. Derermination of the Mixing and Compaction Temperatures for Warm
Mix Asphalt with Sasobit. Journal of Hunan University(Natural Sciences),China2010,pp. 1-5.
[4]JI Jie，RAN Jin，XU Shi-fa.Influnce Analysis of Adding Different Dosages of Sasobit on Physical and Mechanical Indexes
of Asphalt Mixture.Highway,China:2009,pp.17-26.
[5] YAN Hang-dong，Ma Xiu-xing，Chen Xiu-feng，Huang Guo-hui，Li Chang-tai.Effect of Waste Rubber Powder on
Properties of Blending Mortar.Chinese Journal of Environment Engineering, China: 2008,pp.418-423.
[6] [6] Qin Yong-chun，Huang Song-chang. Technology and the latest research of Warm Mix Asphalt.Petroleum Asphalt,
China, 2006,pp.18-21.
[7]Xu Shi-fa，Yan bin，Ji jie，etc. Technology status and application prospects of warm mixture asphalt with high energy
saving and low emission.Highway,China, 2005,pp.195-198.
[8] Tejash Gandhi. Effects of Warm Asphalt Additives on Asphalt Binder and Mixture Properties.Clemson: Clemson University,
2008.