Evaluation of Asphalt Graphene-Modified Thin Layer: A Case Study

In recent years, the excellent mechanical properties of asphalt modified with graphene nano-platelets (GNPs) have attracted a growing number of researchers investigating their actual performance enhancement in pavements. First, the authors analyzed an original thin layer of graphene-modified asphalt (GMTL) aimed at restoring the binder layer of road pavement through laboratory and trial section tests. The laboratory results demonstrate improvements in indirect tensile resistance, an increase in the modulus of elasticity of the binder, and a reduction in material deformation, consistent with findings from other international investigations. However, there is a lack of known studies on test sections or specific research involving thin layers with added GNPs. This paper particularly focuses on assessing, through FWD equipment, the reduction in deflection and the increase in modulus within a real pavement. The investigated GMTL (1.0 cm thick) exhibits an average reduction of 9.5% in maximum FWD deflections and 14.9% in HMA deformability. Moreover, the back-calculation indicates improved stiffness modulus of the pavement foundation (+37%) and the cement-treated base layer (+68%) in pavements covered with GMTL. Further, comparative studies regarding strength, thermal susceptibility, and service life will be necessary to enhance our understanding of GMTL.