ABSTRACT
An asphalt joint is formed when a fresh mix is laid and compacted next to an existing layer, brings about temperature difference during compaction, and therefore requires extra care in quality control and expose to higher cracking risks. Self-healing asphalt aims to stimulate the healing capacity of asphalt mixture and prolong its service life. The main objective of this study is to develop and optimize a calcium alginate capsules healing system for an asphalt joint mix. Capsules following two different self-healing concepts were prepared, namely conventional alginate capsules and conductive alginate capsules. Microscopy, Computed Tomography (CT) and Thermogravimetry analysis (TGA) were used to investigate the performance of alginate capsules. The results show that both types of capsules have a porous structure and a stable performance under high temperature, and therefore potentially survive from the asphalt mixing and production process. These capsules will be implemented and evaluated in full asphalt mix in future research.
