Search for Articles:
Title / Keyword
Author / Affiliation / Email
Journal
Article Type
 
 
Advanced Search
 
Section
Special Issue
Volume
Issue
Number
Page
 
6.4
3.2
Journals
Materials
Special Issues
Mechanical Property Research of Advanced Asphalt-Based Materials—Second Edition
materials-logo
Submit to Special Issue Submit Abstract to Special Issue Review for Materials Propose a Special Issue

Journal Menu

► Journal Menu

Journal Browser

► Journal Browser
share announcement

Mechanical Property Research of Advanced Asphalt-Based Materials—Second Edition

A special issue of Materials (ISSN 1996-1944). This special issue belongs to the section "Construction and Building Materials".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 November 2026 | Viewed by 4767

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Xunhao Ding

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of Transportation, Southeast University, 2 Sipailou, Nanjing 210096, China
Interests: intelligent road perception and novel sensor development; structural performance monitoring and disaster risk early warning; multiscale characterization and modeling analysis of pavement materials
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Pan Pan

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of Resource and Civil Engineering, Wuhan Institute of Technology, Wuhan, China
Interests: solid waste utilization; functional asphalt pavement design; maintenance materials and technology for asphalt pavement
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Prof. Dr. Zhuangzhuang Liu

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of Highway, Chang’an University, Xi’an, China
Interests: road material behavior and engineering resilience; smart road materials and pavements; roadway resource evaluation; environment & traffic monitoring
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Bo Li

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
College of Civil Science and Engineering, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225127, China
Interests: asphalt pavement recycling; sustainable pavement materials; mechnical performance evaluation
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Asphalt mixtures are widely utilized materials in the construction of roads and highways, etc. In recent years, asphalt pavements have developed with regard to their sustainability and intelligence considering the current economic and environmental challenges. Novel theories, methods, technologies, and materials are abundant in the asphalt pavement industry, including the development of reinforcement materials, functional asphalt pavements, green and sustainable asphalt pavements, intelligent distress detection, and intelligent construction and maintenance. However, enhancements in (or qualified) the mechanical properties of asphalt materials are essential in order to ensure the pavement service life, in addition to the functional and environmental benefits accrued when novel technologies and materials are employed.

This Special Issue, entitled “Mechanical Property Research of Advanced Asphalt-Based Materials”, aims to gather original research papers related to the mechanical properties of asphalt materials. The scope of this Special Issue includes, but is not limited to, the following topics:

  • Asphalt binder property evaluation and/or modelling;
  • Asphalt mixture performance evaluation and/or modelling;
  • Multi-physical/multi-scale characterization of asphalt-based materials;
  • Green and sustainable asphalt-based materials;
  • Additive reinforcement asphalt-based materials;
  •  Durability assessment of intelligent asphalt pavements;
  • Intelligent monitoring technology of asphalt pavements;
  • Advanced asphalt material for pavement construction and maintenance.

Dr. Xunhao Ding
Dr. Pan Pan
Prof. Dr. Zhuangzhuang Liu
Dr. Bo 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. Materials 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 and mixture
  • performance evaluation
  • modeling and simulating
  • multi-scale mechanics
  • green and sustainable material
  • intelligent material

Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue

  • Ease of navigation: Grouping papers by topic helps scholars navigate broad scope journals more efficiently.
  • Greater discoverability: Special Issues support the reach and impact of scientific research. Articles in Special Issues are more discoverable and cited more frequently.
  • Expansion of research network: Special Issues facilitate connections among authors, fostering scientific collaborations.
  • External promotion: Articles in Special Issues are often promoted through the journal's social media, increasing their visibility.
  • Reprint: MDPI Books provides the opportunity to republish successful Special Issues in book format, both online and in print.

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

Published Papers (5 papers)

Download All Papers
Order results
Result details
Show export options expand_more Show export options expand_less
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:

Research

Jump to: Review

26 pages, 1601 KB  
Article
Performance Control and Mechanism Analysis of DCLR-Based Composite High-Modulus Asphalt Based on Synergistic Modification Effect
by Bin Xu, Xinjie Yu, Aodong Gao, Guanjun Bu and Kaiji Lu
Materials 2026, 19(6), 1268; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma19061268 - 23 Mar 2026
Viewed by 371
Abstract
To address the prominent problem of early rutting distress in asphalt pavements under heavy-load traffic in China, this study proposes a composite modifier consisting of direct coal liquefaction residue (DCLR), styrene–butadiene–styrene block copolymer (SBS), and styrene–butadiene rubber (SBR). The preparation process and formula [...] Read more.
To address the prominent problem of early rutting distress in asphalt pavements under heavy-load traffic in China, this study proposes a composite modifier consisting of direct coal liquefaction residue (DCLR), styrene–butadiene–styrene block copolymer (SBS), and styrene–butadiene rubber (SBR). The preparation process and formula were optimized through single-factor experiments and orthogonal tests. Systematic investigations were conducted on its conventional performance, water damage resistance, aging resistance, fatigue performance, rheological properties, and microscopic mechanism, with comparisons made against base asphalt, single DCLR-modified asphalt, SBS-modified asphalt, and SBS/SBR-modified asphalt. The results indicate that the optimal preparation process for the novel composite high-modulus modified asphalt is as follows: DCLR particle size of 0.3 mm, addition in molten state, shear temperature of 170 °C, shear rate of 5000 r·min−1, shear time of 50 min. The optimal formula is 10% DCLR + 3% SBS + 2% SBR + 3% compatibilizer, with the addition sequence of “DCLR → SBS + compatibilizer → SBR”. This asphalt exhibits a softening point of 77.8 ± 2.1 °C, a Brookfield viscosity at 135 °C of 1.928 ± 0.105 Pa·s, and a grading of 5 for adhesion to aggregates; the rutting factor at 64 °C reaches 10.8 ± 0.9 kPa (6.43 times that of the base asphalt), the creep stiffness at −12 °C is 136 ± 12.5 MPa, and the low-temperature limit temperature is −17 °C; the freeze–thaw splitting strength ratio (TSR) is 94.6 ± 1.8%, and both aging resistance and water damage resistance are significantly superior to those of the control group asphalts (p < 0.05). The novel composite high-modulus modified asphalt showed improved overall laboratory performance and may be suitable for heavy-load traffic and complex climatic conditions, however, field validation is needed. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mechanical Property Research of Advanced Asphalt-Based Materials—Second Edition)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

16 pages, 3310 KB  
Article
Research on the Influence of Fibers on the Mechanical Properties of Asphalt Mixtures
by Qinyu Shi, Zhaohui Pei and Keke Lou
Materials 2025, 18(21), 4971; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma18214971 - 31 Oct 2025
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 974
Abstract
Fiber reinforcement is a promising solution to several problems, however, the impact of fiber characteristics on the mechanical behavior and reinforcement mechanisms of asphalt mixtures remains unclear. Therefore, two distinct forms of basalt fiber—chopped basalt fiber (CBF) and flocculent basalt fiber (FBF)—were employed. [...] Read more.
Fiber reinforcement is a promising solution to several problems, however, the impact of fiber characteristics on the mechanical behavior and reinforcement mechanisms of asphalt mixtures remains unclear. Therefore, two distinct forms of basalt fiber—chopped basalt fiber (CBF) and flocculent basalt fiber (FBF)—were employed. A comprehensive experimental program was conducted, encompassing macroscopic and microscopic analyses through semi-circular bending tests integrated with digital image correlation, four-point bending fatigue tests, and dynamic modulus tests. Results indicate that both fiber types significantly improve crack resistance, with FBF demonstrating superior performance. Compared with the ordinary mixture, the flexibility index and fracture energy of the FBF-reinforced asphalt mixture increased by 59.7% and 30.6%, respectively. Fibers exert a crack-bridging effect, delaying the transition of the crack propagation stage by 1.25–2.21 s and reducing the crack propagation rate by 39.6–55.4%. Although fatigue life decreased with increasing strain levels, basalt fibers substantially enhanced fatigue resistance, with FBF-reinforced asphalt mixture achieving 20–40% higher Nf,50 values than CBF. Dynamic modulus tests revealed that fibers reduce modulus at low temperatures while increasing it at high temperatures, with more pronounced reinforcement effects observed in high-frequency regions. These findings underscore the importance of fiber morphology in optimizing asphalt mixture design and provide a theoretical basis for optimizing fiber-reinforced pavement materials to achieve long-term durability under complex environmental and traffic load conditions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mechanical Property Research of Advanced Asphalt-Based Materials—Second Edition)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

24 pages, 5525 KB  
Article
Compositional Effects on the Performance of High-Permeability Emulsified Asphalt for Prime Coat Applications
by Zhen Qin, Xiang Liu, Shaopeng Zheng, Simiao Pan, Xiaolong Li, Jingpeng Jia and Hang Xiong
Materials 2025, 18(18), 4430; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma18184430 - 22 Sep 2025
Viewed by 931
Abstract
High-permeability emulsified asphalt has emerged as a promising prime coat for enhancing interlayer bonding in semi-rigid pavement structures. However, its widespread adoption remains limited by insufficient permeability and inconsistent mechanical properties. This study systematically investigated the effects of emulsifier ionic type (cationic or [...] Read more.
High-permeability emulsified asphalt has emerged as a promising prime coat for enhancing interlayer bonding in semi-rigid pavement structures. However, its widespread adoption remains limited by insufficient permeability and inconsistent mechanical properties. This study systematically investigated the effects of emulsifier ionic type (cationic or anionic), kerosene dosage (0–20%), and diluted asphalt content (corresponding to oil-water ratios of 5:5 and 4:6) on the comprehensive performance of high-permeability emulsified asphalt. Fundamental physical tests (sieve residue, evaporation residue, penetration, softening point, ductility), permeability evaluation, rotational viscosity measurements, and adhesion performance tests were conducted. Grey relational analysis (GRA) was employed to quantify the influence of each factor and their interactions on key performance metrics. The results reveal that anionic emulsifiers significantly improved low-temperature ductility and permeability. A low kerosene dosage (<10%) enhanced permeability and viscosity but compromised thermal stability at higher levels. Reducing the diluted asphalt content partially offset these adverse effects. GRA identified kerosene dosage as the dominant factor influencing permeability, softening point, and adhesion performance while emulsifier ionic type primarily affected ductility, and oil-water ratio strongly governed emulsification quality and viscosity. These findings provide quantitative insights for optimizing the composition of high-permeability emulsified asphalt and serve as a theoretical foundation for its engineering application in durable prime coats. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mechanical Property Research of Advanced Asphalt-Based Materials—Second Edition)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

23 pages, 5342 KB  
Article
Analysis of Strain Transfer Characteristics of Fiber Bragg Gratings for Asphalt Pavement Health Monitoring
by Zhaojun Hou, Dianguang Cao, Peng Peng, Xunhao Ding, Tao Ma and Jianchuan Cheng
Materials 2025, 18(15), 3489; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma18153489 - 25 Jul 2025
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1132
Abstract
Fiber Bragg grating (FBG) exhibits strong resistance to electromagnetic interference and excellent linear strain response, making it highly promising for structural health monitoring (SHM) in pavement. This research investigates the strain transfer characteristics of embedded FBG in pavement structure and materials by using [...] Read more.
Fiber Bragg grating (FBG) exhibits strong resistance to electromagnetic interference and excellent linear strain response, making it highly promising for structural health monitoring (SHM) in pavement. This research investigates the strain transfer characteristics of embedded FBG in pavement structure and materials by using the relevant theoretical models. Results indicate adhesive layer thickness and sheath modulus are the primary factors influencing the strain transfer coefficient. A thinner adhesive layer and high modulus of sheath enhance the coefficient. Additionally, the strain distribution of sheath significantly affects the transfer efficiency. When the stress level near the grating region is lower than the both ends, the coefficient increases and even exceeds 1, which typically occurs under multi-axle conditions. As for asphalt mixture, high temperature leads to lower efficiency, while accumulated plastic strain improves it. Although the increased load frequency results a higher strain transfer coefficient, the magnitude of this change is negligible. By employing polynomial fitting to the sheath strain distribution, the boundary condition of theoretical equation could be removed. The theoretical and numerical results of strain transfer coefficient for pavement embedded FBG demonstrate good consistency, indicating the polynomial fitting is adoptable for the theoretical calculation with non-uniform strain distribution. This study utilizes the FEM to clarify the evolution of FBG strain transfer in pavement structures and materials, providing a theoretical basis for the design and implementation of embedded FBG in pavement. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mechanical Property Research of Advanced Asphalt-Based Materials—Second Edition)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

Review

Jump to: Research

29 pages, 6187 KB  
Review
Sustainable Utilization of Coal Gangue in Asphalt Pavement: A Review on Design, Mechanism, and Performance
by Yanshun Jia, Mingyang Lan, Si Peng, Wang Zhang, Chundi Si, Jie Yu, Jiupeng Zhang, Yi Zhang and Zeqi Chen
Materials 2025, 18(24), 5666; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma18245666 - 17 Dec 2025
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 707
Abstract
Coal gangue, a solid waste from coal mining, has long been underutilized while posing environmental and safety risks. This study reviews the current research progress and future prospects of coal gangue as a resource in asphalt pavement. The physical and chemical properties of [...] Read more.
Coal gangue, a solid waste from coal mining, has long been underutilized while posing environmental and safety risks. This study reviews the current research progress and future prospects of coal gangue as a resource in asphalt pavement. The physical and chemical properties of coal gangue were summarized, and the environmental issues caused by its accumulation were highlighted. The effects of using coal gangue as aggregates or fillers in asphalt mixture were reviewed, along with its activation methods. The research progress on using coal gangue as an aggregate or a cementitious material in mixtures stabilized with inorganic binders was also examined, emphasizing the effects of binder content and coal gangue properties on mechanical and durability performance. The findings indicate that despite its inferior physical properties, coal gangue demonstrates practical feasibility as a pavement material when appropriately incorporated and activated. Proper content enabled coal gangue to meet asphalt mixture or base material requirements, while excessive content reduced low-temperature resistance and caused structural defects. Activated or modified methods can effectively enhance interfacial interaction, high-temperature stability, or structural densification of coal gangue. Recent studies have expressed enthusiasm for innovative activation or modification methods and AI-based performance optimization, while key challenges remain regarding high activation-energy demand, limited aggregate-related research, and an incomplete understanding of interfacial mechanisms. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mechanical Property Research of Advanced Asphalt-Based Materials—Second Edition)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

Show export options expand_more Show export options expand_less
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:
 
Displaying articles 1-5
Back to TopTop