Effects of bitumen characteristics on the recovery capability in asphalt mixtures: A discussion

The recovery capability of bituminous mixtures has been used as an important base for developingnewfound technologies in order to prolong the service life of pavements. There are many factors that couldinfluence the recovery capability of bituminous materials. Among the various factors that affect therecovery capability in these materials, bitumen characteristics play a decisive role. In order to promote abetter understanding of this issue, the current article aimed at reviewing and analysing the effects ofphysical, chemical, morphological and micro-structural characteristics of the bitumen on the recoverycapability in asphalt mixtures. According to the reviewed studies, the recovery capability in bitumen canbe affected by the content and structure of its components. Generally, a higher concentration of themolecules with lower weight (i.e. higher maltenes content) can enhance the fluidity and consequently themolecular mobility, which is necessary for the occurrence of the healing phenomenon. Additionally, therecovery capability is more sensitive to the molecular structure (i.e. morphology) than the large moleculecontent.

Keywords:

Bitumen , Recovery , Healing , Thixotropy , Molecular mobility