Cogent Engineering

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Evaluation of bio-asphalt binders modified with

biochar: a pyrolysis by-product of Mesua ferrea
seed cover waste

Abhinay Kumar, Rajan Choudhary, Rumi Narzari, Rupam Kataki & Sanjay K.
Shukla |

To cite this article: Abhinay Kumar, Rajan Choudhary, Rumi Narzari, Rupam Kataki & Sanjay
K. Shukla | (2018) Evaluation of bio-asphalt binders modified with biochar: a pyrolysis
by-product of Mesua ferrea seed cover waste, Cogent Engineering, 5:1, 1548534, DOI:
10.1080/23311916.2018.1548534

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Kumar et al., Cogent Engineering (2018), 5: 1548534
https://doi.org/10.1080/23311916.2018.1548534

CIVIL ENGINEERING | RESEARCH ARTICLE

Evaluation of bio-asphalt binders modified with
biochar: a pyrolysis by-product of Mesua ferrea
seed cover waste
Received: 31 May 2018 Abhinay Kumar1, Rajan Choudhary1*, Rumi Narzari2, Rupam Kataki2 and Sanjay K. Shukla3
Accepted: 12 November 2018
First Published: 15 November 2018 Abstract: With growing global concerns related to energy security and sustain-
*Corresponding author: Rajan ability, interest in bio-fuels has increased significantly. Production of biofuel mostly
Choudhary, Department of Civil begins with pyrolysis, a process that converts the biomass to liquid biooil, solid
Engineering, Indian Institute of
Technology Guwahati, Guwahati, biochar and gases. A large amount of carbonaceous biochar is generated as a by-
Assam, India
E-mail: rajandce@iitg.ernet.in product during the pyrolysis. However, no major effort has been made in the past
decade to utilize the biochar in pavement applications, especially as a bio-modifier
Reviewing editor:
Emmanuel Chailleux, IFSTTAR, to asphalt binders. In this study, an attempt was made to evaluate the carbonac-
Bouguenais, France
eous biochar, obtained during bio-fuel production through pyrolysis of Mesua ferrea
Additional information is available at seed cover waste, as an asphalt modifier/extender to obtain bio-asphalts. Physical
the end of the article
and chemical characterizations of biochar were carried out using scanning electron
microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and energy dispersive X-ray
analysis. This was followed by rheological characterization of asphalt binders (from
two sources) modified with various concentrations of biochar (0, 5, 10, 15, and 20%
by weight of binder). Flow behaviour, permanent deformation, and fatigue charac-
teristics of bio-asphalts were evaluated and compared with control binders (no
biochar). Aging susceptibility of biochar modified binders was also evaluated and

ABOUT THE AUTHOR PUBLIC INTEREST STATEMENT

Rajan Choudhary The group’s key research areas About 95% of all highways in the world are sur-
are asphalt technology, pavement materials faced with asphalt mixtures. Asphalt binder is the
characterization, thermo-chemical conversion of key component in these mixtures as it binds the
biomass and wastes to bio-fuels, carbon- aggregates together to provide a smooth and
sequestration, geosynthetic and fibre-reinforced comfortable riding surface. Considering the fact
soil engineering, and pavement geotechnics. The that asphalt binder is derived from petroleum
research group is involved in inter-disciplinary crude—a non-renewable fossil fuel—there are
research on innovative and novel technologies concerns related to consistent supply of asphalt
that contribute towards sustainable road con- binder for future road infrastructure development.
struction. The group is currently exploring novel This research has focused on partial replacement
technological and material advancements for of asphalt binder with the carbonaceous biochar,
achieving sustainable road construction along obtained during bio-fuel production through pyr-
with improved pavement performance. olysis of Mesua ferrea seed cover waste. Biochar
as well as the bio-asphalt binder are character-
ized using various physical, chemical and rheolo-
gical tests. Biochar, a by-product of bio-fuel
production during the pyrolysis, is derived from
renewable biomass sources and hence can be a
sustainable asphalt modifier. Findings of the
study suggest that biochar-modified asphalt bin-
ders show an improved performance against the
effects of aging and deformation, thus making
the biochar as a promising asphalt modifier.

© 2018 The Author(s). This open access article is distributed under a Creative Commons
Attribution (CC-BY) 4.0 license.

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compared for biochar contents and binder sources. Permanent deformation beha-
viour evaluated through multiple stress creep and recovery (MSCR) test indicated
that the use of biochar improved the rutting resistance of binders. Improved binder
performance against the effects of aging and deformation with the use of biochar
makes it a promising asphalt modifier, especially for the warm tropical climatic
conditions prevalent in India.

Subjects: Transportation Engineering; Waste & Recycling; Pavement Engineering

Keywords: asphalt binder; biochar; bio-asphalt; asphalt rheology; MSCR; pyrolysis

1. Introduction
In recent times, along with many other countries, India is also making continual efforts to
transition from fossil-fuel-based resources to the renewable sources of energy (MNRE, 2009). In
this regard, biofuels, which are derived from renewable biomass resources, have amassed sub-
stantial attention as alternative fuels to promote energy security and environmental stewardship.
Production of biofuel mostly begins with pyrolysis (Mohan, Pittman, & Steele, 2006), a process that
converts the biomass to the liquid biooil, solid biochar and gases. Pyrolysis is the thermal decom-
position of organic matter in the absence of oxygen or when significantly less oxygen is available
than required for combustion (Demirbas, 2009; Mohan et al., 2006). Liquid biooil is further
upgraded to derive biofuels, and the solid biochar, rich in carbon, is generated as a by-product
(Zhao, Huang, Ye, Shu, & Jia, 2014a).

Biochar obtained as pyrolysis by-product of switchgrass was used by Zhao et al. (2014a). A
commercially available activated carbon was used as the control modifier. Influence of method of
pyrolysis, pyrolysis temperature, modifier size, and modifier content was evaluated using one source
of neat PG 64–22 asphalt binder. Addition of biochar improved the rutting and aging resistance of
asphalt binder, while showing little effect on fatigue and cracking properties. It was concluded that
biochar is a more effective modifier than activated carbon within a dosage of 10% by weight of
asphalt binder. In another study, Zhao, Huang, Shu, and Ye (2014b) evaluated properties of asphalt
binders and mixtures containing biochar obtained from pyrolysis of switchgrass. Two commercially
available carbon-based additives carbon black and micro-sized carbon fibres were used as reference
additives. Addition of biochar did not impact low-temperature cracking resistance of the asphalt
binder, while the resistance decreased with carbon black and fibres. Biochar was found to improve
the rutting resistance, cracking resistance, and resistance to moisture-induced damages of the
mixtures. Celoglu, Yilmaz, Kok, and Yalcin (2016) used biochars from pyrolysis of walnut crust and
apricot seed shell as bitumen modifiers. Classical tests (penetration, softening point, viscosity) and
dynamic analysis result showed that biochars increased the binder stiffness, and thus have promis-
ing potential to reduce permanent deformation of asphalt pavements.

Mesua ferrea (local name: “Nahor”) is a non-edible oil seed tree species abundant in north-
eastern region of India (Bordoloi, Narzari, Chutia, Bhaskar, & Kataki, 2015). The seed cover of M.
ferrea is generated as a waste during the process of oil extraction. Some studies (Bordoloi et al.,
2015; Chutia, Kataki, & Bhaskar, 2013) have reported pyrolysis of M. ferrea seed cover to obtain
biooil as a pyrolysis product, and a source for renewable fuel and value added chemicals. Biochar is
generated as a by-product during the pyrolysis of the seed cover. The present study is the first
attempt in India to utilize this by-product as a potential asphalt modifier.

Utilization of carbon-based materials for modification of asphalt binders has been attempted
earlier also by asphalt researchers. Carbon black (Alliotti, 1962), carbon fibre (Huang, Chen, & Shu,
2009), coke dust (Taha, Ali, & Delwar, 1998), and carbon nano-tubes (Ziari, Farahani, Goli, &
Sadeghpour Galooyak, 2014) are some of the carbon-based materials that have been successfully
used as asphalt additives/modifiers for improved performance. Positive results reported with other

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carbon-based asphalt additives, together with the possibility of using a carbonaceous by-product of
pyrolysis process, motivated the present study on the use of biochar as a modifier to asphalt binder.

The primary objective of this study was to investigate the possibility of incorporating carbonac-
eous biochar, obtained as a by-product during the pyrolysis of M. ferrea seed cover, in asphalt
binders. Biochar-modified asphalt binders were produced with two sources of base asphalt binders
at five different biochar contents. The biochar was characterized via scanning electron microscopy
(SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy
(EDX). To assess the performance of bio-asphalt binders, they were tested for flow behaviour,
permanent deformation, fatigue, and aging resistance. Flow behaviour of the binders was evalu-
ated through measurement of viscosity of unaged and short-term aged bio-asphalt binders at
varying shear rates. Resistance against the permanent deformation was evaluated through the
Superpave rutting parameter (G*/sin δ) and multiple stress creep and recovery (MSCR) tests. Aging
potential of the biochar-modified asphalt binders was also quantified through the measurement of
rheological aging index (RAI). Properties of control (without biochar or neat binder) and biochar-
modified binders were analysed and compared.

2. Materials description and methodology

2.1. Materials and their characterization

Two neat (unmodified) VG–30 asphalt binders (equivalent to 60/70 penetration grade) were
selected for this study. The two binders were obtained from two different petroleum refineries in
India. Two sources were selected to understand the effect of binder source on biochar modifica-
tion. They are designated as source-1 and source-2 in this paper. Table 1 presents the physical
properties of these two binders.

The biochar used in the current study was a by-product obtained during the pyrolysis of M. ferrea
seed cover at 450°C with heating rate 40°C/min and nitrogen flow rate of 100 mL/min. The
schematic representation of pyrolysis experimental unit is given in Figure 1. Quartz reactor of
length 480 mm and internal diameter 30 mm is equipped with inert gas (nitrogen) connection to
create oxygen-less environment for pyrolysis (Figure 1). The reactor was heated externally through
an electric furnace, and the temperature of reactor was controlled by a Ni–Cr–Ni thermocouple
attached inside the reactor. Further details on the pyrolysis process can be found elsewhere
(Bordoloi et al., 2015; Kumar, Choudhary, Narzari, & Kataki, 2018). Figure 2 shows the steps
involved in the production of biochar. The resultant biochar sample was then allowed to cool to
room temperature for further testing.

SEM image of biochar sample shown in Figure 3 reveals highly irregular, porous and rough
surface features. A rough and porous surface texture is expected to enhance the physicochemical
interaction of biochar with asphalt binder bringing about more effective binder modification (Zhao
et al., 2014b, 2014a).

Chemical functional groups present in the biochar were identified using the FTIR analysis. FTIR
spectrum was recorded in a Nicolet IR spectrometer at ambient temperature (26 ± 2°C). A spectral
range of 4000–400 cm–1 was used at a resolution of 4 cm–1 averaging 64 scans for each
measurement. Results of FTIR analysis of biochar sample are shown in Figure 4. In the biochar
spectrum, a strong peak at 3420 cm−1 corresponded to O–H stretching due to the presence of
phenolic O–H group; a peak at 2910 cm−1 was attributed to C-H stretching of aliphatic CHx, a peak
at 1639 cm−1 indicated conjugated C = C phenyl rings; a peak at 1438 cm−1 is attributed to C–H in-
plane bends; and a peak at 632 cm−1 indicated the presence of C–Br stretch aliphatic bromo
compounds. A weak peak between 1032 and 1192 cm−1 corresponded to C–O secondary alcohol
stretch and a peak around 875–602 cm−1 is attributed to strong bend C–H phenyl rings. A weak
peak between 1032 and 1192 cm−1 corresponded to C–O secondary alcohol stretch and a peak

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Table 1. Properties of asphalt binders

Property Requirements* Source of asphalt binder
Source 1 Source 2
Penetration at 25°C, Min 45 51.6 47.3
100 g, 5 s, 0.1 mm
Absolute viscosity at 60°C, 2400–3600 3410 3540
poise
Kinematic viscosity at Min 350 525 555
135°C, cSt
Flash point (COC), °C Min 220 280 293
Solubility in Min 99 > 99 > 99
trichloroethylene, %
Softening point (R&B), °C Min 47 52.7 53.9
Tests on rolling thin film oven (RTFO) residue
Viscosity ratio at 60°C Max 4 1.15 1.56
Ductility at 25°C, cm Min 40 > 100 > 100
* Requirements as per IS: 73 (2013), Indian Standard on “Paving Bitumen Specification”.

Figure 1. Schematic diagram of

pyrolysis set-up (after
Choudhury, Chutia, Bhaskar, &
Kataki, 2014).

around 875–602 cm−1 is attributed to strong bend C–H phenyl rings. Broad peak at 632 cm−1
indicated the presence of C–Br stretch aliphatic bromo compounds.

EDX analysis was used for the elemental analysis of biochar. Results of EDX analysis shown in
Figure 5 indicate that carbon is the major element (87.5%) followed by oxygen (10.3%), potassium
(1.3%), and other trace elements.

2.2. Sample preparation

Biochar modified asphalt binders were prepared by first drying the biochar for 2 h at 110°C and
then introducing it in the asphalt binder at the contents of 5%, 10%, 15% and 20% by weight of
binder. The biochar was first sieved through a 150-μm sieve before its addition to the asphalt
binders. Blending was performed for 30 min at 160°C using a high shear mechanical blender.
Biochar was added in small increments during blending to avoid its agglomeration in the binder.

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Figure 2. Steps involved in bio-

char production: (a) Mesua fer-
rea seed, (b) dried seed cover,
(c) grinded seed cover prior to
its pyrolysis and (d) biochar
obtained from pyrolysis.

2.3. Test methods

Rheological investigations on biochar modified asphalt binders were conducted through dynamic
shear rheometer (DSR) and rotational viscometer. To study the effect of biochar on aging char-
acteristics of asphalt binder, short-term and long-term aging of control and biochar modified
binders were simulated in a rolling thin film oven (RTFO) and a pressure aging vessel (PAV),

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Figure 3. SEM image of biochar.

Figure 4. FTIR spectrum of

biochar.

respectively. The short-term aging of control and biochar-modified binders was done at 163°C for
85 min as per ASTM D2872 (ASTM, 2017a). Long-term aging was performed as per ASTM D6521
(ASTM, 2017b) on short-term aged binders subjected to 2.1 MPa pressure and 100°C temperature
for 20 h.

Shear rate dependence of biochar modified asphalt binders was found through viscosity measure-
ments with Brookfield rotational viscometer (spindle 27) at varying shear rates. Anton Paar MCR 102
DSR was used for measurement of rheological characteristics of different biochar modified binders.
For unaged and short-term aged binders, a parallel plate geometry (25 mm dia plate with 1 mm
gap) was used, whereas long-term aged binders were tested using 8 mm dia plate with 2 mm gap.

MSCR test was conducted on short-term aged binders as per ASTM D7405 (ASTM, 2017c)
specifications using DSR with a parallel plate (25 mm diameter) geometry and 1 mm test gap.

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Figure 5. EDX analysis results

for biochar.

The MSCR test is used to evaluate permanent deformation resistance of asphalt binders under
varying stress levels. Use of low- and high-stress levels in the test allows complete mobilization of
the modifiers and thus helps to assess stress dependency of the biochar modified asphalt binders.
Specimens were tested at 60°C at two stress levels of 0.1 and 3.2 kPa. The test consisted of 10
creep-recovery cycles at each stress level, with each cycle comprising of 1 s creep loading time and
9 s recovery time. The accumulated strain in the asphalt binder was recorded with time.

The non-recovered strain (εnr) at the end of each creep and recovery cycle when divided by the
appropriate stress level yields non-recoverable compliance (Jnr, kPa−1) as follows:
εnr
Jnr ¼ (1)
σ

where εnr is the non-recoverable strain at the end of recovery and σ is the stress level. Jnr indicates
the rutting resistance of asphalt binder. Lower Jnr values are desirable for better performance
against rutting. Furthermore, the per cent difference in Jnr calculated at 3.2 kPa and 0.1 kPa stress
levels yields another parameter Jnr, diff that indicates the sensitivity of the binder to varying stress
levels. Thus, it can be obtained as follows:

Jnr;3:2  Jnr;0:1
Jnr;diff ¼  100 (2)
Jnr;0:1

where Jnr, 3.2 and Jnr, 0.1 are the non-recoverable compliance at stress levels of 3.2 kPa and 0.1 kPa,
respectively. Lower Jnr, diff are desirable as they correspond to binders with lower stress sensitivity.
AASHTO TP 70 (American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials TP 70
[AASHTO], 2013) specifies an upper limit of 75% for the per cent difference in Jnr values (Jnr, diff).
Figure 6 shows the experimental flowchart for the present study.

3. Results and discussion

3.1. Flow behaviour

Apparent viscosity was measured for control (without biochar) binder and biochar modified binders
at 135°C as function of shear rate, and the results are presented in Figure 7. It is observed that

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Figure 6. Experimental plan of

the present research.

Figure 7. Viscosity of asphalt

binders at 135°C as a function
of shear rate: (a) source-1 and
(b) source-2.

(a) (b)

viscosity of biochar modified binders increases with an increase in biochar content, suggesting an
improvement in the binder stiffness. With respect to binder source, relatively higher values of
viscosity are observed for source-2 binder. Source-2 binder is stiffer compared to source-1 binder
as also observed from the test results presented in Table 1. Furthermore, all the combinations are
able to meet the Superpave maximum viscosity requirement of 3.0 Pa.s at 135°C, for an unaged
binder. Viscosity is found to be nearly constant with the increase in shear rate, indicating that both
control and biochar modified binders exhibit Newtonian behaviour (i.e. viscosity is independent of
shear rate). The per cent increase in viscosity, calculated by considering viscosity of control binder
as the base, observed with the addition of biochar, is nearly the same at a given biochar content
for both binder sources. For example, 5% biochar elevated the viscosity by 22.5% in case of source-
1, and by 21.9% for source-2. This indicates that biochar has similar effect on the viscosity for both
binder sources.

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Figure 8. Superpave rutting

parameter (G*/sin δ) of source-
1 asphalt binders: (a) unaged
state and (b) short-term aged
state.

(a) (b)

Table 2. Failure temperature results

Binder source Biochar content, Failure temperature, °C High PG grade
%
Unaged Short-term aged
Source-1 0 67.1 64.0 PG 64
5 68.6 66.5 PG 64
10 70.5 67.4 PG 64
15 71.1 68.2 PG 64
20 72.5 69.0 PG 64
Source-2 0 70.2 70.5 PG 70
5 72.5 72.5 PG 70
10 73.7 73.4 PG 70
15 75.0 74.7 PG 70
20 77.1 76.5 PG 76

3.2. Rutting parameter

Superpave rutting parameter (G*/sin δ; G*: complex shear modulus, δ: phase angle) was measured
using DSR at 10 rad/s for unaged and short-term aged binders to assess their resistance towards
permanent deformation. The results of G*/sin δ measured from 46°C to 76°C for source-1 binders
are illustrated in Figure 8. Similar trends are observed for source-2 binders. A consistent increase in
G*/sin δ with increase in biochar content is seen at all temperatures for both unaged and short-
term aged binders. Improvement in G*/sin δ values is attributed to the stiffening effect resulting
from the addition of biochar, and is in agreement with the viscosity results. Source-2 binders
exhibit comparatively higher G*/sin δ values than source-1 binders at all biochar contents and
temperatures. This is also expected as the source-2 control binder is relatively stiffer than source-1
control (as seen from viscosity results for control binders).

Using the results of G*/sin δ, failure temperatures and corresponding high performance grades
(PG) of all binders are determined. Failure temperatures in unaged and short-term aged states
correspond to the maximum temperature at which G*/sin δ attains a minimum value of 1.0 kPa
and 2.2 kPa, respectively. Table 2 presents the results of failure temperature and PG. It is seen that
addition of biochar consistently increases the failure temperature of binders from both sources.

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Figure 9. Rheological aging

index (RAI) results.

This points towards better resistance against permanent deformation of the biochar modified
binders (Fini, Hosseinnezhad, Oldham, Chailleux, & Gaudefroy, 2017; Julaganti, Choudhary, &
Kumar, 2017; Oruç, Yılmaz, & Sancak, 2016). A bump in the high PG grade from PG 70 to PG 76
is observed for binder source-2.

3.3. Aging susceptibility

The effect of aging on the properties of control and biochar modified binders was evaluated
through RAI at 64°C based on the Superpave rutting parameter:

G = sin δ in short-term aged state

RAI ¼ (3)
G = sin δ in unaged state

Lower RAI values indicate a low susceptibility towards aging and hence better aging resistance
(Ali, Mashaan, & Karim, 2013; Ashish, Singh, & Bohm, 2017). RAI results shown in Figure 9
indicate that there is a marginal but consistent decrease in RAI values with subsequent increase
in the biochar content for binders of both sources. It is observed that with comparatively higher
RAI values, source-2 binders are more aging susceptible than source-1 binders. The results
further indicate that addition of biochar slightly reduces the aging susceptibility of the binders
as the RAI of biochar modified binders is lower than the control binders. Hence, an increase in
biochar content lowers the changes in G*/sin δ caused due to aging, and thus helps improve the
resistance of the binder towards aging. The results of FTIR analysis demonstrated the presence
of phenolic group in pyrolytic carbon, and the presence of phenolic compounds is known to
impart anti-oxidant properties to asphalt binders. The ability of phenolic structures to act as
asphalt anti-oxidant has been reported previously (Pan, 2012; Williams & McCready, 2008). A
phenolic structure consists of one or more hydroxyl groups attached to benzene ring. The
structure has the ability to neutralise oxygen containing free radicals, i.e. ketones and sulfoxides
generated during asphalt binder oxidation (Pan, 2012). This likely explains the decrease in RAI
values with an increase in biochar percentage.

3.4. Fatigue parameter

Superpave binder fatigue parameter (G*sin δ) was determined for long-term aged binders. Short-
term aged binders were subjected to long-term aging in PAV, and were then tested through DSR at
intermediate-service temperatures of 19°C to 34°C at 10 rad/s frequency. Failure temperature in
this case is defined as the temperature corresponding to the Superpave specified maximum limit
of 5000 kPa for the fatigue parameter (G*sin δ). The test results are presented in Figure 10.

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Figure 10. Superpave fatigue

parameter of asphalt binders:
(a) source-1 and (b) source-2.

(a) (b)

Figure 11. MSCR accumulated

strain versus time plot: (a)
source-1 and (b) source-2.

(a) (b)

Comparatively higher stiffness of source-2 control binder than source-1 control binder is evident
from Figure 10. An increase in biochar content from 0% to 20% slightly increases the failure
temperature by 4.9°C for source-1 and by 4.6°C in case of binders from source-2. Nearly equal
slopes of G*sin δ vs. temperature curves shown in Figure 5 (for both binder sources) indicate that
addition of biochar does not alter temperature dependency of binders for the intermediate service
temperatures.

3.5. MSCR test results

MSCR test was performed on control and biochar-modified binders at a typical high-service
temperature of 60°C. Three parameters were obtained from the test: accumulated strain, non-
recoverable compliance (Jnr), and difference in non-recoverable compliance (Jnr, diff).

Figure 11 shows the plot of accumulated strain recorded as a function of time. Results up to a
time of 100 s correspond to the first 10 load cycles at the stress level of 0.1 kPa, and the results
from 100 s to 200 s represent the 10 load cycles at 3.2 kPa. The addition of biochar reduces the
final accumulated strain values by 25%, 30%, 45%, and 63%, respectively, at the contents of 5%,
10%, 15%, and 20% for source-1 binders. Corresponding reductions were 15%, 40%, 42%, and 62%
for source-2 binders. This indicates a favourable effect of addition of biochar on permanent
deformation resistance of asphalt binders (Mirzababaei, Nejad, & Vanaei, 2017; Singh, Ashish,
Kataware, & Habal, 2017).

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Figure 12. MSCR Jnr (at 3.2 kPa)

results.

Figure 12 indicates the results of Jnr at 3.2 kPa stress level. Lesser Jnr values are desirable for
better performance against permanent deformation (DuBois, Mehta, & Nolan, 2014; Singh et al.,
2017; Wasage, Stastna, & Zanzotto, 2011), because a lesser Jnr indicates that higher strains are
recovered during the recovery phase of the MSCR test. As seen from Figure 12, Jnr decreases with
an increase in biochar content at both stress levels and for binders of both sources. Jnr values of
source-2 binders are significantly lower than those from source-1.

The parameter Jnr, diff is used as a measure of stress-sensitivity of an asphalt binder. It is

preferable to use binders with less sensitivity towards stresses arising from vehicle axle loads. As
per AASHTO TP 70, a maximum limit of 75% is specified for Jnr, diff. Figure 13 shows the results of
Jnr, diff. All binders are found to meet the specified limit of 75%. Furthermore, it is noted that with
an increase in biochar content, there is consistent decrease in Jnr, diff, and thus the stress-
sensitivity. Considering the effect of the two binder sources, source-2 binders exhibit lower Jnr,
diff than the binders from source-1. The results indicate that addition of biochar reduces the stress-
sensitivity of asphalt binders, and the extent of reduction is dependent on the binder source.

4. Conclusions
The present study investigated the feasibility of using carbonaceous biochar, a by-product of
pyrolysis of Mesua ferrea seed cover, as modifier/extender to asphalt binders. Bio-asphalt binders
were prepared with five contents of biochar (0, 5, 10, 15, and 20% by weight of binder) along with
two sources of base asphalt binders. Flow behaviour, permanent deformation, fatigue and aging
characteristics of biochar modified binders were evaluated and compared with control binders
(without biochar). On the basis of results and discussion presented earlier, the following conclu-
sions can be drawn:

● Addition of biochar increased the viscosity of asphalt binders and showed a Newtonian
behaviour up to 20% biochar content used in the study.
● Addition of biochar improved the permanent deformation resistance in terms of the Superpave
rutting parameter (G*/sin δ) at high-service temperatures. Addition of biochar decreased the
susceptibility towards aging of the bio-asphalt binders estimated using the RAI.

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Figure 13. MSCR Jnr, diff results.

● MSCR results showed that addition of biochar reduced accumulated strain and non-recover-
able compliance (Jnr), thereby improving rutting resistance of the binders. Based on Jnr,diff
results, the stress-sensitivity of all the binders was found to be within the specified limit and it
decreased with an increase in the biochar content.

The findings of the study indicate that biochar obtained as a by-product during pyrolysis of M.
ferrea seed cover waste can be a viable additive to enhance performance of asphalt binders. Use of
biochar—a by-product derived from renewable biomass resource during bio-fuel production—will
also be a step forward in the direction of energy security and sustainability.

Funding Choudhary, Rumi Narzari, Rupam Kataki & Sanjay K.

The authors received no direct funding for this research. Shukla, Cogent Engineering (2018), 5: 1548534.

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