Assessment of Void Properties in Cold Mix Asphalt through Moisture Loss: A Volumetric Study

Abstract

This study investigated the effect of curing on the moisture loss and volumetric properties of Cold Mix Asphalt (CMA) with different filler materials such as cement, fly ash, Ground Granulated Blast-furnace Slag (GGBS), and lime. The major research scope encompassed the preparation of three types of CMA, monitoring the moisture loss, estimating the void properties with progressive curing, and determining the impacts of filler on moisture loss. A total of 36 samples were prepared and subjected to curing at two temperatures and two curing durations in the laboratory. The research findings revealed that the moisture loss patterns of CMA mixes were influenced by the chemical composition of filler materials. Furthermore, it was observed that at lower temperatures, the mixes with pozzolanic fillers promote accelerated moisture loss compared to conventional mixes. In the void analysis, the volumetric properties such as Total Voids (TV) and Air Voids (AV) were estimated as functions of the moisture loss. When Voids filled with water (VFW) relative to TV were compared for three CMA mixes, it was observed that the temperature and filler types played a significant role in the curing rate. The study demonstrates that an integrated analysis of moisture loss behavior, the changes in VFW, and TV-AV range provides a holistic measurement of the evolution of volumetric properties.