# Enhancing Asphalt Binder Performance and Storage Stability with Trinidad Lake Asphalt (TLA)
## 2 Experimental Design
### Production and Sampling of TLA Modified Binders  
In this experimental setup, a standard asphalt binder with a performance grade of PG 64-22 is used as the base material. The binder is modified by incorporating Trinidad Lake Asphalt (TLA) in three different percentages: 10%, 20%, and 30%, by weight of the virgin binder. The primary objective of this modification is to enhance the binder's mechanical properties, specifically its resilience and flexibility. The modification process begins by manually mixing the binder and TLA until a visually homogeneous blend is achieved. To ensure the effective dispersion and intercalation of TLA within the base binder, the mixing temperature is maintained above 150 \({}^{\circ}\)C. When the temperature reaches 165 \({}^{\circ}\)C, a low-shear mixer is employed, mixing the components at a shear rate of 700 rpm for 60 min while maintaining the temperature at 165 \({}^{\circ}\)C. This process promotes a uniformly modified binder and facilitates the effective intercalation of TLA within the binder matrix. Following the modification, a portion of the binder is subjected to rotational viscosity tests and viscoelastic tests, following standard procedures such as the Dynamic Shear Rheometer (DSR) for Multiple Stress Creep Recovery (MSCR). These tests are crucial for assessing the modified binder's flow and deformation characteristics under varying stress conditions. The remaining modified binder is poured into cigar cases, each weighing 50 \(\pm\) 0.5 g, held in a vertical position. The tops of the cigar cases are sealed, and the samples are placed in an oven at a temperature of 163 \({}^{\circ}\)C for a conditioning period of 48 \(\pm\) 1 h. After this \begin{table}
\begin{tabular}{c c c} \hline
**Aging States** & **Test Properties** & **Test Result** \\ \hline \multirow{3}{*}{Unaged binder} & Viscosity @ 135 \({}^{\circ}\)C (cP) & 754 \\  & Viscosity @ 180 \({}^{\circ}\)C (cP) & 283 \\  & G\({}^{\circ}\)/sin \(\&\) @ 64 \({}^{\circ}\)C (kPa) & 2.10 \\ \hline RTFO aged residual & G\({}^{\circ}\)/sin \(\&\) @ 64 \({}^{\circ}\)C (kPa) & 5.25 \\ \hline RTFO + PAV & G\({}^{\circ}\)-sin \(\&\) @ 25 \({}^{\circ}\)C (kPa) & 3400 \\  & Stiffness @ \(-12\)\({}^{\circ}\)C (MPa) & 185 \\  & m-value @ \(-12\)\({}^{\circ}\)C & 0.333 \\ \hline \end{tabular}
\end{table} 
Table 1: Properties of base asphalt binder (PG 64-22). \begin{table}
\begin{tabular}{c c c} \hline
**Properties** & **Test Method** & **Test Result** \\ \hline Penetration (25 \({}^{\circ}\)C) & ASTM D5 [14] & 1–4 \\ Density & ASTM D70 [15] & 1.40–1.42 g/m\({}^{3}\) \\ Softening point & ASTM D36 [16] & 199 \({}^{\circ}\)F–208 \({}^{\circ}\)F \\ Flash point & ASTM D92 [17] & 255 \({}^{\circ}\)C–266 \({}^{\circ}\)C \\ Fire point & ASTM D92 (Cleveland open cup) [17] & 305 \({}^{\circ}\)C–310 \({}^{\circ}\)C \\ \hline \end{tabular}
\end{table} 
Table 2: Properties of Trinidad Lake Asphalt. conditioning period, the samples are transferred to a cooler maintained at \(-10\)\(\pm\)\(10\)\({}^{\circ}\)C for a minimum of 4 h, allowing the molten binder to solidify. The solidified cigar cases are then divided into three equal halves. Each half is placed back into the oven at 163 \(\pm\) 5 \({}^{\circ}\)C until the binder starts to liquefy. Subsequently, the liquefied modified binder is further homogenized on a hot plate with manual stirring using a spatula to remove any foreign particles. Samples are then extracted from the homogenized binder for viscosity and viscoelastic property assessments, ensuring the accuracy of the testing process according to the experimental protocol detailed in the referenced journal. To simulate short-term aging, the binder undergoes the Rolling Thin Film Oven (RTFO) test for 85 min at 163 \({}^{\circ}\)C, in accordance with ASTM D 2872 standards [19]. RTFO-aged samples are analyzed using DSR for viscoelastic properties and subjected to MSCR tests. This step mimics the aging process that occurs during hot-mix asphalt production and construction phases.