Experimental Analysis of the Effect of Modification of Bitumen Emulsion with Cellulose Nanofiber Solution on Improved Performance of Slurry Seal Surface Treatment

An effective measure of protective road maintenance is the application of slurry seal surface treatment. In this research, a cellulosic nanofiber solution was used at 0 (i.e., control), 3, 5, 7, and 9 wt.% by solid weight of asphalt binder to modify bitumen emulsion. First, the modified polymeric bitumen emulsion samples were evaluated by their physical properties like Saybolt FUROL viscosity, softening point and penetrability. Next, the modified polymeric bitumen emulsion samples were used in slurry seal mixtures. The asphalt mixtures were then evaluated through wet cohesion test, wet track abrasion test, loaded wheel – displacement test, and loaded wheel – sand adhesion test. Results of the asphalt binder tests showed that the use of the cellulosic nanofiber solution could improve the asphalt binder characteristics in terms of reduced penetrability, increased softening point, and enhanced viscosity. With increasing the percent dosage of the cellulosic nanofiber solution from 0 to 5%, significant changes occurred to the penetrability and the softening point. In the meantime, further increase in the percent dosage of the cellulosic nanofiber solution from 5 to 9% imposed significant changes neither in the penetrability nor the softening point. Results of asphalt tests on the samples showed clearly that the asphalt mixtures containing the modified asphalt binder make better-performing slurry seal surface treatments. On average, the slurry seal containing the cellulosic nanofibers at 5% exhibited higher wet cohesion, resistance to abrasion, and resistance to displacement by 23.1%, 42.7%, and 42%, respectively, as compared to the control