Efecto de la exposición de la radiación ultravioleta en asfaltos colombianos

Environmental factors are agents that affect the asphalt properties, asphalt properties causing its hardening and making it more susceptible to fatigue. One of these is the ultraviolet (UV) radiation. However, investigators have identified that, between 100 h UV and 200 h UV exposition, asphalt shows a recovery in its physical and rheological properties. This paper presents the characterization of the rheological and physical results of the Colombian asphalts (60/70 and 80/100), that is produced in the Barrancabermeja Refinery, Colombia. The material was aged using a RTFOT and an ultraviolet chamber, between 100h UV and 200 h UV. A recovery of the rheological properties was identified in the 150 h UV and 175 h UV periods. The recovery is attributed to molecular changes In the material; which modify the percentage content of SARA fractions, its properties and, probably, it produces a change in its colloidal structure.