Tensile strength and moisture sensitivity of sulfur waste in asphalt mixtures as an eco-friendly filler

الملخص EN

Sulfur waste (SW) materials continue to accumulate in Iraq, posing an expensive disposal and gas emission problem.

Utilizing SW as a mineral filler is a cost-effective way to reduce the amount of common filler (calcium carbonate; CaCO3) used and hazardous gas emissions.

SW was used to gradually replace a component of the asphalt binder in hot asphalt mixes.

The purpose of this research is to explore the use of SW as a mineral filler in the construction of sustainable pavements.

Three sulfur waste asphalt concrete (SWAC) mixes with asphalt binder penetration grades of 40–50 were created and compared to the study's CaCO3-asphalt concrete (AC) reference mix.

Different percentages of SW (4%, 5%, and 6%) by weight and one AC blend contained a CaCO3 content of 5% (by weight) were prepared.

The Marshall stability, Marshall quotient, tensile strength ratio at 25 and 60°C, tensile strength modulus at 25 and 60°C, tensile strength ratio, and tensile stiffness modulus of AC and SWAC mixtures were all determined.

Tensile strength, tensile stiffness modulus, tensile strength ratio, and resilience modulus are all decreased in SWAC mixtures.

Despite the lower SWAC percentage, tensile strength ratios remain higher than the required minimum of 85 percent when 40-50 penetration grade asphalt is used.

Additionally, SWAC combinations have higher flow values, indicating a greater strain capacity to rupture.

As long as the proper binder content is maintained, all SWAC combinations meet the ASTM standards for 8kN stability, 2-4mm flow, 5% air voids, and 14% VMA.

This study found that SW can be reused and used as a mineral filler in pavement applications at a rate of 4–5% by aggregate weight.