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Buildings
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Mechanical Properties of Asphalt and Asphalt Mixtures: 2nd Edition
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Mechanical Properties of Asphalt and Asphalt Mixtures: 2nd Edition

A special issue of Buildings (ISSN 2075-5309). This special issue belongs to the section "Building Materials, and Repair & Renovation".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 September 2026 | Viewed by 3062

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Guoqiang Liu

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of Mechanics and Civil Engineering, China University of Mining and Technology, Xuzhou 221116, China
Interests: asphalt; pavement engineering
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Yanqiu Bi

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of Civil Engineering, Chongqing Jiaotong University, Chongqing 400074, China
Interests: road engineering; asphalt pavement; durable pavement; rheological characteristic; smart road; energy conservation; vehicle exhaust purification
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Xiaokang Zhao

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of Highway, Chang’an University, Xi’an 710064, China
Interests: pavement material; asphalt pavement; fatigue damage; meso-scale simulation; micro scale characteristic; discrete element method; mesoscopic cracking
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Rui Li

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of Civil Engineering, University of Chongqing Jiaotong, Chongqing 400074, China
Interests: green road construction materials; high-performance asphalt concrete; emulsified asphalt development; solid waste recycling; multi-scale material simulation
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Asphalt mixtures are essential materials in pavement construction and form the backbone of highway infrastructure. The mechanical properties of the asphalt mixtures directly influence the performance and durability of pavement structures. These properties are typically analyzed through a combination of experimental testing and numerical simulation techniques. By predicting the service behavior of asphalt pavements, we can identify effective strategies for optimizing their construction, management, and maintenance.

In recent years, significant progress has been made in developing advanced constitutive models for asphalt base materials, understanding the multi-scale mechanical behavior of asphalt mixtures, and improving cross-scale prediction methods. To showcase the latest research in this field, the journal Buildings is calling for papers for a Special Issue focused on the "Mechanical Properties of Asphalt and Asphalt Mixtures: 2nd Edition". We welcome original research and review articles on the following topics:

  • Constitutive models of asphalt base materials under multi-physical field coupling;
  • Inversion of mechanical parameters and prediction of service performance for asphalt pavements;
  • Rheological behavior of asphalt materials;
  • Microstructural and mechanical behavior of asphalt and asphalt mixtures;
  • Testing methods for the physical and mechanical properties of asphalt materials at various scales;
  • Applications of big data and artificial intelligence in pavement design and evaluation;
  • Smart pavement structures and materials;
  • Nondestructive testing techniques for assessing pavement performance;
  • Evaluation and use of technologies for recycled asphalt pavement.

Dr. Guoqiang Liu
Dr. Yanqiu Bi
Dr. Xiaokang Zhao
Dr. Rui Li
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Buildings is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • asphalt binder
  • asphalt mixture
  • recycled asphalt pavement
  • high-modulus asphalt concrete
  • discrete element method
  • finite element method
  • rheological characteristics
  • durable pavement
  • energy conservation
  • vehicle exhaust purification

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Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.

Related Special Issue

Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

21 pages, 9343 KB  
Article
Mechanism of Microwave-Activated Crumb Rubber on the Properties of Crumb Rubber-Modified Emulsified Asphalt Blends
by Zhixuan Feng, Jiangmiao Yu, Jun Lai, Xuanyu Li and Huayang Yu
Buildings 2026, 16(9), 1824; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings16091824 - 3 May 2026
Viewed by 175
Abstract
To address poor interfacial compatibility between rubber powder and emulsified asphalt in cold-mixed asphalt mixtures, this study employed microwave activation to desulfurize and activate waste rubber powder. The investigation combined experimental research, molecular dynamics simulations, and solid–liquid separation methods to systematically explore the [...] Read more.
To address poor interfacial compatibility between rubber powder and emulsified asphalt in cold-mixed asphalt mixtures, this study employed microwave activation to desulfurize and activate waste rubber powder. The investigation combined experimental research, molecular dynamics simulations, and solid–liquid separation methods to systematically explore the mechanism by which rubber powder activation influences cold-mixed emulsified asphalt systems. Results revealed an effective activation temperature of approximately 190 °C for rubber powder. The activation process, driven by microwave heating, involves main-chain scission and crosslink bond cleavage. Furthermore, moderate desulfurization reduces the solubility difference between rubber powder and asphalt, increases interfacial binding energy, and enhances the diffusion coefficient. Based on these findings, an optimal microwave activation scheme was proposed (4 min at 1040 W followed by 2 min at 873 W), which offers low energy consumption and excellent modification effects. Activation treatment reduces the initial viscosity by 33.9% and accelerates demulsification. Lastly, the results of molecular dynamics simulations are highly consistent with those of macroscopic experiments, forming a complete research chain of “microscopic mechanism analysis—macroscopic performance verification” and providing a theoretical basis and technical support for high-performance cold-mixed rubber-powder-modified emulsified asphalt mixtures. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mechanical Properties of Asphalt and Asphalt Mixtures: 2nd Edition)
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25 pages, 1971 KB  
Article
Quantitative Evaluation of Rubber–Asphalt Compatibility: Multivariate Correlation Study of Process Parameters, Base Asphalt Components, and Rheological Properties
by Na Ni, Manzhi Li, Lingkang Zhang, Yaling Tan, Haitao Yuan and Zhongbin Luo
Buildings 2026, 16(8), 1531; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings16081531 - 14 Apr 2026
Viewed by 312
Abstract
In this study, an L16(43) orthogonal experimental design was employed to optimize the preparation process of rubber-modified asphalt, and a series of rheological tests were conducted using a dynamic shear rheometer to systematically investigate the compatibility mechanisms among the [...] Read more.
In this study, an L16(43) orthogonal experimental design was employed to optimize the preparation process of rubber-modified asphalt, and a series of rheological tests were conducted using a dynamic shear rheometer to systematically investigate the compatibility mechanisms among the four components: base asphalt and rubber particles. The results indicate that process parameters exert varying degrees of influence on performance. The optimal combination determined was: base bitumen temperature of 170 °C, shear rate of 4000 r/min, and shear time of 40 min, followed by isothermal curing at 170 °C for 60 min. Rheological analysis indicates that resin and asphalt are the key components determining the high-temperature rheological properties of rubber-modified asphalt; notably, L74, which has the highest asphalt content, exhibits excellent high-temperature performance. Grey correlation analysis shows that the correlation coefficient between resin content and creep recovery capacity is 0.82, while the correlation coefficient between asphalt content and resistance to permanent deformation is 0.86. Furthermore, the goodness-of-fit value of the multiple regression model exceeded 0.99, further confirming the reliability of the research results. This study provides a precise characterization of compatibility, thereby offering a theoretical foundation and technical support for material selection and process control in the application of rubber-modified asphalt. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mechanical Properties of Asphalt and Asphalt Mixtures: 2nd Edition)
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22 pages, 9604 KB  
Article
Enhancing Durability of Plant-Mixed Hot Recycled Asphalt Mixtures in Arid Climates Through Qingchuan Rock Asphalt Modification
by Jiangnan Zhao, Zhikai Guan, Liang Song, Zihao Dan and Jie Gao
Buildings 2026, 16(6), 1236; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings16061236 - 20 Mar 2026
Viewed by 255
Abstract
This study addresses the severe durability challenges for asphalt pavements in extreme, arid continental climates like Turpan, Xinjiang, where summer surface temperatures exceed 80 °C and winter lows drop below −20 °C. It evaluates Qingchuan rock asphalt (QRA) as a modifier to enhance [...] Read more.
This study addresses the severe durability challenges for asphalt pavements in extreme, arid continental climates like Turpan, Xinjiang, where summer surface temperatures exceed 80 °C and winter lows drop below −20 °C. It evaluates Qingchuan rock asphalt (QRA) as a modifier to enhance the durability of plant-mixed hot recycled asphalt mixtures containing reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP). Laboratory tests at binder and mixture levels evaluated the performance of QRA-modified binder and recycled mixtures. The program included binder specifications, performance grading, dynamic modulus, dynamic stability, and residual stability. Results indicate that increasing QRA dosage raises the softening point, G*/sin δ, and high-temperature PG, enhancing stiffness and rutting resistance. Although blending with RAP binder further improves high-temperature performance, it reduces workability and low-temperature resistance. In mixtures, dynamic stability, residual Marshall stability, and TSR increased by 115%, 6.59%, and 14.38%, respectively, while failure strain decreased by 30.8%. Dynamic modulus master curves confirm improved modulus retention at high temperatures. Considering the local PG 76–22 requirement and relevant specifications, a mixture containing 10% QRA and 50% RAP is recommended for durable plant-mixed hot recycled asphalt pavements in Turpan and similar arid climate regions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mechanical Properties of Asphalt and Asphalt Mixtures: 2nd Edition)
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16 pages, 5552 KB  
Article
Investigation into the Evolution of Main Force Chains and Skeleton Composition in Asphalt Mixture Using the Discrete Element Method
by Kun Li, Guoqiang Liu, Chuanyu Yang and Yongqi Liu
Buildings 2025, 15(22), 4092; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings15224092 - 13 Nov 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 494
Abstract
To clarify the load transfer mechanism of the asphalt mixture skeleton, the discrete element method simulation analysis was conducted to investigate the evolution of the morphological characteristics of the main force chain (MFC) and the mechanical composition of the skeleton. Results indicate that [...] Read more.
To clarify the load transfer mechanism of the asphalt mixture skeleton, the discrete element method simulation analysis was conducted to investigate the evolution of the morphological characteristics of the main force chain (MFC) and the mechanical composition of the skeleton. Results indicate that AC-type asphalt mixtures form a greater number of force chains compared with SMA- and OGFC-type asphalt mixtures. Although AC-type asphalt mixtures exhibit more MFC, both SMA and OGFC have a higher proportion of MFC (PMFC) throughout the loading process, which is beneficial to transfer external loading effectively. In AC-type asphalt mixtures, the skeleton undergoes reorganization during the initial loading stage, especially in the case of small NMAS. This makes it easy to form MFC with a longer length, some of which exhibit a relatively low alignment coefficient. Consequently, the MFC network of AC is more complex and less efficient for transferring external loading compared with SMA and OGFC. For all asphalt mixtures, the MFC structure evolves in a manner that facilitates load transfer. For skeleton mechanical composition, aggregate within 1.18~2.36 mm is mainly used to fill the void space of the skeleton and has a small amount of participation in the formation of the skeleton. Aggregates within 2.36~9.5 mm mainly participate in the skeleton composition and make a small contribution to filling the void of the skeleton. Aggregates larger than 9.5 mm are fully incorporated into the skeleton composition. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mechanical Properties of Asphalt and Asphalt Mixtures: 2nd Edition)
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14 pages, 1413 KB  
Article
Evaluation of Regeneration Effects of Different Rejuvenators on Aged Asphalt
by Jian Wang, Song Xu, Jiang Chen, Weibin Xie, Xuehong Cheng, Jiahao Wang and Yunbin Ke
Buildings 2025, 15(7), 1171; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings15071171 - 2 Apr 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1155
Abstract
As a polymer-like organic material, asphalt often undergoes aging during service life. Regeneration technology is the main approach to achieve its recycling; therefore, the rejuvenator is an important factor affecting the regeneration effect. In order to evaluate the rejuvenation effects of rejuvenators on [...] Read more.
As a polymer-like organic material, asphalt often undergoes aging during service life. Regeneration technology is the main approach to achieve its recycling; therefore, the rejuvenator is an important factor affecting the regeneration effect. In order to evaluate the rejuvenation effects of rejuvenators on aged asphalt, fluid catalytic cracking (FCC) slurry and a penetrant containing epoxy functional groups were used to prepare conventional rejuvenators (CR1 and CR2) and a penetrable rejuvenator (PR). The impact of the penetrant on the physical properties of the rejuvenator was investigated, and the rejuvenation effects of different rejuvenators on mild and severe aged asphalt were evaluated through physical and rheological tests. Results show that the penetrant effectively lubricates the movement of rejuvenator molecules, improving the high temperature stability and aging resistance of the rejuvenator. CR1 and CR2 are more suitable for mild aged asphalt, as mild aging has a relatively minimal effect on the chemical composition and colloidal structure of asphalt. At a 25% dosage, the PR significantly restores the physical properties of severe aged asphalt, while CR1 and CR2 still fail to meet specifications. The PR is more effective for severe aged asphalt because it not only dissolves and disperses asphaltenes but also weakens interactions between asphaltenes, which facilitates a more effective restoration of the colloidal structure and significantly enhances the rejuvenation effect. The findings of this study provide insights into the design of penetrable rejuvenators for a more efficient utilization of reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP). Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mechanical Properties of Asphalt and Asphalt Mixtures: 2nd Edition)
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