Estudio de aplicabilidad del óxido de zinc como modificador del cemento asfáltico en una mezcla densa en caliente

Abstract

Zinc oxide (ZnO) has important chemical properties such as high thermal conductivity, high melting point and low coefficient of expansion (Rondón-Quintana et al., 2023, 2024; Duan et al., 2022). The success in industrial uses and the study conducted by the research groups TOPOVIAL and Centro de Estudios en Pavimentos y Materiales Sostenibles (both belonging to the Universidad Distrital Francisco José de Caldas), indicate the possible effectiveness of this material as a modifier of asphalt binders. Therefore, the development of this project seeks to study the applicability of ZnO as a modifier of the properties of an Asphalt Cement (AC) in a Dense Hot Mix (HDM) through the development of three (3) methodological phases: (i) initially, the optimum parameters of temperature, speed and mixing time of the ZnO-modified AC were established based on the review of the reference literature; (ii) then the optimum percentage of AC was selected according to the standards for the design of MDC according to the Marshall Method (INVIAS, 2022); (iii) in the third phase, the resistance under monotonic load in Marshall and Indirect Tension tests, the susceptibility to moisture damage and the loss of wear by abrasion through the Cantabrian test were evaluated. Finally, the results obtained were analyzed and the conclusions of the project were formulated. Based on the results obtained, ZnO is presented as a promising material to modify and improve the properties of binders and MDC mixtures.