Deformation recovery properties of asphalt mixtures with shape memory epoxy resin

Abstract Shape memory epoxy resin (SMER) is a new type of intelligent polymer material, that can sense the stimulus of temperature change and return to an initial state by adjusting its mechanical parameters. To improve the deformation recovery performance of the asphalt mixture based on the high solar energy absorption of asphalt pavement, SMER is proposed for application in asphalt mixtures. A novel test was put forward to measure the deformation recovery performance of the asphalt mixture with and without SMER. The influences of the SMER dosage, loading rate and deformation recovery temperature on the deformation recovery performance of the asphalt mixture were investigated. In addition, the infrared thermal imaging test was used to explore the improvement mechanism of SMER on the deformation recovery performance of the asphalt mixture. The final deformation recovery rate of the asphalt mixture increased with increasing SMER dosage, loading rate and temperature. When the SMER dosage, loading rate and deformation recovery temperature are 3%, 18 mm/min and 70 ℃, respectively, the final deformation recovery rate reaches 97%, which indicates that the deformation of the asphalt mixture under the above conditions almost completely recovers. According to the results of the infrared thermal imaging test, the deformation recovery mechanism of SMER in asphalt mixtures is that the shape memory function of SMER is motivated by the pavement temperature and initiated by solar energy, and then the surrounding materials around the SMER are restored under the restoring force generated by the SMER. The deformation of the asphalt mixture can be recovered in the above process and the appearance of rutting in asphalt pavement can be slowed.