Evaluation of the ageing behaviour of waste engine oil-modified asphalt binders.

• The ageing behaviors of WEO-modified asphalt binders were evaluated. • Asphalt binders modified with WEO were aged in RTFOT, PAV and double PAV process. • Conventional test, rheological test, FTIR and AFM were conducted on the asphalt samples at different ageing levels. • WEO could significantly improve the ageing resistance of WEO- modified asphalt. • WEO decreases the "bee-like" structures and reduces the maximum lengths of "bee-like" structures. The aim of this research is to evaluate the ageing behaviour of waste engine oil (WEO)-modified asphalt binders. Conventional properties, rheological characteristics and microscopic features were tested on the aged residues through rolling thin film oven, pressure ageing vessel and double PAV test. Results demonstrate reveal that ageing improves the high temperature performance, reduces the low temperature and fatigue performances of asphalt, while introducing WEO into asphalt significantly improves its ageing resistance. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and atomic force microscopy (AFM) results further reveal that WEO can efficiently reduce the oxygen ageing effect by supplying lightweight components. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]