Behaviours of incorporating ceramsite into epoxy asphalt mixture as thermal resistance aggregates

Ceramsite epoxy asphalt mixture (CEAM) was prepared by adding ceramsite (CS) to replace aggregate with 0%, 16%, 41%, and 63%. The thermal stability of epoxy asphalt (EA) and CS, and their adhesion were analysed. Laboratory tests were performed to assess the mechanical properties and thermal resistance of CEAM compared with styrene–butadiene-styrene (SBS) copolymer modified asphalt. Results indicate that EA has good stability and adhesion to CS under high-temperature conditions. The air-void content of CEAM gradually increases, and the density gradually decreases with an increase in CS content. The strength, high-temperature stability, moisture resistance, and low-temperature performance of CEAM are slightly affected by the CS content, significantly different from those of the SBS-modified asphalt mixture. Adding CS can significantly improve the thermal resistance of CEAM. In addition, through the performance analysis of CEAM under two laboratory compaction levels, it is found that compared with high compaction level, CEAM under light compaction level has higher strength, better high-temperature stability, and thermal resistance due to more stable aggregate gradation and higher air-void content. Therefore, the light compaction level is the recommended compaction method for the CEAM.