Evaluation of Effects of Extended Short-Term Aging on the Rheological Properties of Asphalt Binders at Intermediate Temperatures Using Respond Surface Method

Predicting the effects of short term aging on asphalt binders' rheological properties can be a complicated task. This is due to the exposure of different binders to different conditions. Hence, the utilization of a Respond Surface Method (RSM) is a practical way to predict these effects. An experimental matrix was planned to predict asphalt binders behavior at intermediate temperatures based on the central composite design for aging duration and test temperature. The test results showed that prolonging aging increased the binder complex modulus, but decreased the phase angle, while increasing the test temperature decreased the complex modulus but increased the phase angle. However, the trends in aging differ and depend on the binder type, test temperature and aging conditions. It was also found that the RSM method is a fast, effective and reliable tool to predict the effects of aging on binders' rheological behavior.