Performance of asphalt binder blended with non-modified and polymer-modified nanoclay

► Non-modified nanoclay (NMN) and polymer modified nanoclay (PMN) were used. ►Microstructure images were captured with scanning electron microscope. ►The viscosity of NMN modified asphalt increases. ►The trend of G∗ results is similar with viscosity trend. ► PMN modified asphalt potentially has better overall properties. This study investigated the rheological properties of asphalt binders modified with nanomaterial additives. The additives used are non-modified nanoclay (NMN) and polymer modified nanoclay (PMN). They were added to the control PG 58-34 asphalt binder at concentrations of 2% and 4% by the weight of the asphalt binder, respectively. Superpave™ binder tests were employed to evaluate the characteristics of the nano-modified binders. Rheological properties of nano-modified asphalt were analyzed by use of asphalt binder tests such as Rotational Viscosity (RV), Dynamic Shear Rheometer (DSR) and Bending Beam Rheometer (BBR). In addition, the short- and long-term aging properties of nano-modified asphalt were analyzed, with the aging process simulated by Rolling Thin Film Oven (RTFO) and the Pressure Aging Vessel (PAV). The dissipated work per load cycle of all asphalt binders was examined, in order to better understand the properties of nano-modified asphalt. The results reveal that both viscosity and complex shear modulus of asphalt binder remarkably increase when the NMN is added into the control asphalt, and decrease slightly when the PMN is added. In addition, from the dissipated work perspective, the overall performance of PMN modified asphalt binder is improved in terms of rutting and fatigue cracking resistance relative to the NMN modified asphalt binder.