Optimization of the mechanical properties of cold-mixed epoxy asphalt: effects of original asphalt, solvent, epoxy resin and additives

The influence of formulation components of cold-mixed epoxy asphalt (CMEA) on the corresponding mechanical properties was studied. For the purpose of minimising the number of experiments, the simplex-centroid design method was used as an effective tool for experimental design. Original asphalt, solvent, epoxy resin and additives were taken into consideration as important factors at different levels. Tensile strength and elongation at break at 25 ℃ and -10 ℃ were chosen as the key responses. Moreover, the workability performance and optimised CMEA were studied. Finally, the tensile cross-sectional fracture mechanism of CMEA was studied with scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The results indicated that the simplex-centroid design was an effective method for optimising the composition of the CMEA. Good agreement was found between the proposed model and experimental measurements. The CMEA pot life first increased and then decreased with increasing environmental temperature, and solvent in the CMEA could weaken the ductility.