Evaluation of the impact of warm mix additives and binder grade on properties and performance of asphalt binder and mixtures

The study investigates the use of Warm Mix Asphalt (WMA) additives as compaction aids for construction of flexible pavements in cold regions. PG 76–28 and PG 58–28 asphalt binders were blended with Rediset, Evotherm, Zycotherm, and Sasobit Redux. Performance Grade, Critical Temperature Differential, Asphalt Binder Cracking Device, Linear Amplitude Sweep, and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy tests were performed. Results showed that PG 76–28 modified with WMA additives lowered the high PG by 6 °C, while PG 58–28 did not change the PG. ΔTc enhancement resulted solely from modifying PG 76–28 with WMA additives. WMA additives did not affect the low cracking temperature properties of the control binders and reduced the aging susceptibility of asphalt binders. All mixtures were compacted at 149 °C, 127 °C, 104 °C, and 82 °C and evaluated for their cracking, rutting, and moisture-induced damage, yielding different volumetric and performance properties.