Nonlinear rheological behavior of asphalt based on large amplitude oscillation shear test under different loading, aging, and modification conditions

To reveal the effects of environmental and loading conditions, as well as asphalt properties on the nonlinear rheological behavior of asphalt, the large amplitude oscillation shear (LAOS) test was introduced, and the Fourier transform rheology, Lissajous curve method, and the LAOS fatigue test have been applied to investigate the nonlinear rheological behavior of asphalt binders. The research results indicate that a decrease in temperature, an increase in shear frequency and strain level, the introduction of polymer modifiers, and the aging effect of asphalt can significantly increase the nonlinearity of asphalt, manifested by the higher relative magnitude of the third harmonic and zero-strain nonlinear coefficient. For the two polymer modifiers selected in this study, the 4% polyurethane modifier exhibits a higher nonlinear lifting effect than the 4% styrene-butadiene-styrene (SBS). The impact of long-term aging on nonlinear viscoelasticity is observably greater than that of short-term aging. The zero-strain nonlinear coefficient estimated based on the average value method can accurately characterize the nonlinear viscoelasticity of asphalt, which can serve as an effective supplement to the relative magnitude of the third harmonic. All asphalts exhibit shear thinning behavior under the test temperature of 24 ​°C, and the decrease in test temperature, the increase in shear rate and strain level, the introduction of modifiers, and the aging effect of asphalt all exacerbate the shear thinning behavior of asphalt. In addition, the fatigue failure process of asphalt materials is accompanied by an increasing degree of nonlinearity.