WHAT IS VISCOSITY?

Observation: A high-viscosity material flows at

a slower rate under the same stress.
Viscosity is the resistance of a material to flow
under stress.
V Shear Rate = V/Y =dγ/dt
τ
Shear Stress = τ
Y Material
Viscosity, η = τ / (dγ/dt)

Shear Stress vs. Shear Rate Relationship

(for Newtonian Fluid)

τ = η1.0(dγ/dt)C

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Log Shear Stress vs Log Shear Rate
(for a Newtonian Fluid)

Pseudoplastic Flow Characteristics

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Log Shear Stress vs. Log Shear Rate
(for a Pseudoplastic Fluid)

Bingham Plastic Flow Characteristics

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 Dilatant Flow Characteristics

Log τ vs. Log dγ/dt for a Dilatant Fluid

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Flow Characteristics of a Thixotropic Fluid

• The viscosity of the fluid appears to

increase with time, from long time of
storage or inactivity. (e.g. A can of asphalt
has been in storage for a long time with no
or little exposure to air or heat)
• The original viscosity can be restored by
application of strain energy or heat.

POWER LAW for FLOW CHARACTERISTICS

τ = η1(dγ/dt)C
where

= shear stress
τ

dγ/dt = shear rate

η1 = viscosity at a shear rate of 1/second
C = shear susceptibility

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APPARENT VISCOSITY AT ANY SHEAR RATE

η a = τ / d γ /dt
= η 1(d γ /dt)C / (d γ /dt)
= η 1(d γ /dt)C-1
For a Newtonian Fluid
C=1
η a= η 1
(Viscosity is the same at any shear rate)

CONSTANT POWER VISCOSITY

- Viscosity at a stress (τ ) and shear rate (d γ /dt)

such that
τ(d γ /dt) = constant power, j
⇒ η 1(d γ /dt)C (d γ /dt) = j
⇒ η 1(d γ /dt)C+1 = j
⇒ (d γ /dt) =( j / η 1)1/(C+1)
⇒ Viscosity at a constant power of j, η j
= η 1 (d γ /dt)C-1 = η 1 (j / η 1)(C-1)/(C+1)

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 EFFECTS OF ASPHALT PROPERTIES ON
PERFORMANCE OF ASPHALT PAVEMENT
(1) Effects of Viscosity
(A) Low-Temperature Cracking - Cracking (usually in
the transverse direction) caused by rapid cooling of the
pavement
- Using a lower viscosity asphalt can prevent low-temperature
cracking. (Flow of asphalt can relieve stress.)
- Cracking temperature is a function of cooling rate and asphalt
viscosity.
- Rough guideline for prevention of low-temperature cracking:
Asphalt viscosity at the lowest pavement temperature should
be less than 2 X 1010 Poises

CONSOLIDATION RUTTING

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 TRANSVERSE SHOVING

(B) Rutting and Shoving Resistance at High

Service Temperature
- Rutting and shoving resistance is dependent on
aggregate and asphalt characteristics
- High asphalt viscosity at the highest anticipated
pavement temperature can reduce rutting and shoving
potential.

(C) Mixing and Compaction

Recommended asphalt viscosity (by Asphalt Institute)
For Mixing: 1.7 ± 0.2 Poises
For Compaction: 2.8 ± 0.3 Poises
*Actual optimum asphalt viscosity for compaction is
affected by aggregate characteristics.

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(2) Effects of Non-Newtonian Flow Behavior of
Asphalt on Pavement Performance
- Some research results have indicated that asphalts
with a high shear susceptibility (C) have been related
to tender mixes , high temperature susceptibility and
high aging rates.

- Difficulty in accurate determination of viscosity.

Measured viscosity changes as the shear stress and/or
shear rate used for the test changes. The viscosity at a
stress level close to the anticipated stress level in
service should be used for prediction of pavement
performance.

(3) Effects of Asphalt Hardening

- Causes of asphalt hardening: (A) Oxidation,
(B) Loss of Volatiles, and (C) Polymerization
(changes in structure).
- Asphalt hardening occurs during (A) the hot
mixing process (2 to 4 times increase in viscosity),
and (B) service ( as high as 10 to 20 times increase
in viscosity).
- Excessive hardening of asphalt in the mixing
plant or in service can lead to low-temperature
cracking & raveling

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 PROBLEM OF TENDER MIXES

Mix is too soft to compact and has low resistance

to plastic deformation.

- May be caused by low hardening of asphalt

during the mixing process (due possibly to low
mixing temperature).

- May be caused by a slow-setting asphalt cement.

(Asphalts containing less than 10% asphaltene has
a high probability of being slow setting.)

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