Skip to main content
Log in

Comparison of methods for measuring zero shear viscosity in asphalts

  • Original Article
  • Published:
Materials and Structures Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Permanent deformation or “rutting” is a common mode of failure in asphalt pavements. In order to better determine why rutting occurs, current research is focussed on the rheological properties of the asphalt binder. Zero shear viscosity (ZSV) seems to adequately explain how the asphalt binder contributes to the rutting behaviour of the pavement. Still, the measurement of ZSV in a reliable and reproducible way is an open field of discussion. This work looks into the repeatability, benefits and duration of two test methods to measure ZSV: the creep test and frequency sweep test. To account for the influence of the asphalt type, six different conventional and modified asphalts were tested. A statistical analysis was performed to study the variability of each test method and a comparison between both was made.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Stuart K, Mogawer W, Romero P (2000) Evaluation of the superpave asphalt binders specification for high-temperature pavement performance. J Assoc Asph Paving Technol 69:148–176

    Google Scholar 

  2. Bahia HU, Zhai H, Zeng M, Hu Y, Turner P (2001) Development of binder specification parameters based on characterization of damage behavior. J Assoc Asph Paving Technol 70:442–470

    Google Scholar 

  3. Stuart K (2002) Understanding the performance of modified asphalt binders in mixture: high temperature characterization. Report FHWA-RD- 02-075

  4. Dongré, R. D’Angelo, J. (2003) Evaluation of different parameters for superpave high temperature binder specification based on rutting performance in ALF at FHWA. Transport research board annual meet

  5. Stuart K, Izzo R (1995) Correlation of superpave G*/sinδ with rutting susceptibility from laboratory mixture test. Transport Res Rec 1492: 176–183. ISSN: 0361-1981

    Google Scholar 

  6. Stuart K, Mogawer W (1997) Validation of asphalt binder and mixture test that predict rutting susceptibility using FHWA ALF. Assoc Asph Paving Technol 66:109–152

    Google Scholar 

  7. Bouldin MG, Dongre R, Zanzotto L, Rowe GM (2000) The application of viscoelastic models to predict the relative performance of binders for grading purposes. In: Proceeding to 2nd euroaspahlt and eurobitumen congress, pp 74–82

  8. Hu RY, Bahia HU, Zhai H, Zeng M (2001) Measuring resistance of asphalt binders to permanent deformation using the DSR device. Transport research board 80th annual meet

  9. Sybilski D (1994) Relationship between absolute viscosity of polymer-modified bitumen and rutting resistance of pavement. Mater Struct 27:110–120. doi:10.1007/BF02472829

    Article  Google Scholar 

  10. Sybilski D (1996) Zero shear viscosity of bituminous binders and its relation to bituminous mixture’s resistance. Transp Res Rec 1535:15–21. doi:10.3141/1535-03

    Article  Google Scholar 

  11. Phillips M, Robertus C (1996) Binder rheology and asphaltic pavement permanent deformation, the zero shear viscosity concept. In: Proceeding to 1st euroaspahlt and eurobitumen congress: paper 5134

  12. Rowe GM, D’angelo JA, Sharrock MJ (2003) Use of the zero shear viscosity as a parameter for the high temperature binder specification parameter. J Appl Asph Binder Technol

  13. van Rooijen RC, de Bondt AH (2004) Experience with the zero shear viscosity concept to characterize rutting. In: Proceeding to 3rd euroasphalt and eurobitumen congress: paper 150

  14. Tschoegl N (1989) The phenomenological theory of linear viscoelastic behavior. Springer Verlag, Berlin

    MATH  Google Scholar 

  15. Groupement Professionnel des Bitumes, Laboratories Central des Punts et Chaussées (2002) Bitumen and bituminous binders: determination of the steady-state viscosity by the creep method

  16. Dezmanes C, Lecomte M, Leseur D, Phillips M (2002) A protocol for reliable measurement of zero shear viscosity in order to evaluate the anti rutting performance of binders. In: Proceeding to 2nd euroaspahlt and eurobitumen congress

  17. Sybilski D (1993) Non-Newtonian viscosity of polymer-modified bitumens. Mater Struct 26:15–23. doi:10.1007/BF02472233

    Article  Google Scholar 

  18. Cross M (1965) Rheology of non-Newtonian fluids: a new flow equation for seudoplastic systems. J Colloid Sci 20:417–437. doi:10.1016/0095-8522(65)90022-X

    Article  Google Scholar 

  19. De Visscher J, Vanelstraete A (2004) Practical test methods for measuring the zero shear viscosity of bituminous binders. Mater Struct 37:360–364. doi:10.1007/BF0281684

    Article  Google Scholar 

  20. CEN prEN 15324 Standard (2006) Bitumen and bituminous binders—determination of equiviscous temperature based on low shear viscosity using a dynamic shear rheometer in low frequency oscillation mode

  21. Airey G, Rahimzadeh B, Collop A (2002) Linear viscoelastic limits of bituminous binders. J Assoc Asph Paving Technol 69:89–115

    Google Scholar 

  22. Bahia H, Hanson D, Zeng M, Zhai H, Khatri M, Anderson RM (2001) Characterization of modified asphalt binders in superpave mix design. NCHRP 9-10 report 459. ISSN 0077-5614

  23. CEN prEN 15325 Standard (2006) Bitumen and bituminous binders—determination of zero shear viscosity (ZSV) using a shear stress rheometer in creep mode

  24. Ferry J (1980) Viscoelastic properties of polymers. Wiley, New York

    Google Scholar 

  25. Anderson D, Le Hir YM, Planche JP, Martín D (2002) Zero shear viscosity of asphalt binders. Transport research boards annual meet: paper 02-4113

  26. Nigen Chaidron S (2007) Rheological characterization of bituminous binders for specification purposes. In: Proceeding to 4th international conference bituminous mixture and pavements

Download references

Acknowledgments

The authors wish to thank the collaboration of Omar Iosco, Ariel Debenedetti, Claudio Veloso, Jorge Coacci and Javier Batic in the development of the experimental work.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to F. Morea.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Morea, F., Agnusdei, J.O. & Zerbino, R. Comparison of methods for measuring zero shear viscosity in asphalts. Mater Struct 43, 499–507 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1617/s11527-009-9506-y

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1617/s11527-009-9506-y

Keywords

Navigation