Asphalt Concrete Durability: Challenges and Prospects

Asphalt pavement has garnered widespread utilization globally because of its distinctive advantages; however, the asphalt pavement is susceptible to deterioration from factors such as load-bearing stress and climatic conditions. Consequently, its durability tends to diminish over time. How to improve the durability of asphalt pavement has thus become a common concern among researchers. In recent years, with the development of new materials and the update of testing methods, the durability of asphalt pavement has gradually improved. Asphalt mixture is composed of asphalt, aggregate, and mineral powder. The current commonly used mix design methods include the Marshall method, SUPERPAVE method, etc. However, with the application of high viscosity modified asphalt, rubber asphalt, high modulus asphalt, and fiber, achieving a balance of technical performance in mixture design has become particularly important. In addition, the accurate assessment of the technical performance of asphalt mixture through appropriate testing methods, facilitating optimal alignment with the design of asphalt pavement structure, remains an ongoing concern. Combining advanced computational analysis methods and micro-macro simulation to predict the performance of asphalt materials, aggregate, asphalt mortar, and asphalt mixture, to achieve durable asphalt concrete, is the future development goal.

This Research Topic aims to provide scientists and researchers with a platform to unveil and advance the latest developments in asphalt materials. The primary emphasis lies in highlighting the latest trends of techniques and methods in enhancing asphalt material durability. Both Original Research and Review articles are welcome. Specific questions that need to be answered include: What are the most effective modified materials for improving asphalt durability? How can advanced computational methods be utilized to predict the long-term performance of asphalt mixtures? What are the best practices for balancing technical performance in mixture design?

To gather further insights into the durability of asphalt concrete, we welcome articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:
- Modified materials in asphalt technology
- Rheological properties of asphalt materials
- Modeling and durability of asphalt materials
- Cracking and healing in asphalt mixtures
- Rutting in asphalt mixtures
- Water damage in asphalt mixture

Keywords: Modified asphalt, Durability, Rutting, Ageing, Cracking, Mix design, Water damage

Important Note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.