Avaliação do desempenho mecânico de misturas asfálticas modificadas com bioligante derivado do líquido da casca da castanha de caju acrilado (LCCA)

Abstract

The simulation of distresses evolution throughout the service life of pavements, combined with the use of computational tools, is essential for developing resilient and sustainable infrastructure aiming at the development of methods that improve improving road network conservation within the framework of sustainable paving. The present study evaluates the technical efficacy of a bio-additive derived from acrylate cashew nutshell liquid (CNSL) as a modifier for neat CAP 50/70 asphalt binder, aligning with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 9 and 11). The methodology consisted in a comparison between a reference asphalt mixture and a modified asphalt mixture with 2% LCCA, by means of the MeDiNa software to predict mechanical performance and structural behavior under a traffic load of 1×107 equivalent single axle loads (ESALs). To ensure parity in the analysis based on the mechanistic-empirical design, the structural evaluation function was applied to the modified scenario, maintaining the same layer thicknesses as the reference section. The results demonstrate that the chemical modification promoted significant gains, increasing the resilience modulus value and the tensile strength. Contrary to a detrimental stiffening effect, the combination between the increased stiffness and internal cohesion resulted in a decrease in the predicted cracked area of the pavement. Regarding permanent deformation, the LCCA scenario showed a low value of rutting, proving effective in protecting the underlying granular layers. The main conclusion is that the use of the 2% LCCA bio-additive is a promising and technically superior alternative, optimizing the consumption of non-renewable resources and ensuring substantially higher structural durability compared to conventional methods.