A Perspective on Asphalt Chemistry Research and the Use of Hp-GPC Analysis

A model for the participation of asphalt cement in a pavement is suggested. In this model, polar entities in the asphalt interact with the aggregate surface; nonpolar materials in the asphalt matrix will then structure via coulombic forces, van der Waals and hydrogen bonding. A mechanism by which this structuring could lead to transverse cracking is also suggested. In studies of pavements from different climate regions, it has been found that the molecular size distribution, specifically the amount of large molecular size (LMS) material by High Performance Gel Permeation chromatography (HP-GPC) is related to transverse cracking. The possible relationship between the structuring hypothesized in the pavement and that indicated by HP-GPC analysis as well as the contribution of climate are discussed.