Performance characteristics and mechanical resistance of a hot mix asphalt using gilsonite and blast furnace slag

Abstract

Blast furnace slags (BFS) are materials obtained in the manufacturing of iron in blast furnaces. Most countries in the world consider these materials as waste products, given that their use in multiple engineering applications (e.g. as fertilizers, in road construction, in the production of ceramic materials, bricks and cement, among others) is less in comparison to its production. The amount of material that is unused tends to pollute the environment, since it is generally dumped and piled in landfi lls or stored in open air production plants. Because of this, several research efforts are being carried out in the world with the purpose of evaluating use sources for this material. Blast furnace slags possesses physical-chemical properties that are interesting for replacing natural aggregates in asphalt mixes. Some of these are: (a) present cementing properties and chemical composition properties similar to Portland cement (Das, Prakash, Reddy & Misra, 2007); (b) particles present a coarse and porous superfi cial texture, as well as good compatibility with asphalt, which could result in good adhesion with asphalt (Rondón, Ruge, Patiño, Vacca, Reyes & Muniz de Farias, 2018; Rondón, Ruge & Muniz de Farias, 2019). Constituting part of the aggregate in asphalt mixes with it would be helpful not only for seeking another use source, but at the same time additionally, reducing negative environmental impacts associPRACE ORYGINALNE ORIGINAL PAPERS