Liang, Xingmin , Wei, Yunchong , Yu, Xin , Xiao, Jianzhuang , Huang, Lijian , Huang, Jinghao
2025-12-31 INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PAVEMENT ENGINEERING 2025 26(卷), 1(期), (null页)
The sustainability of road pavements is heavily influenced by production methods. Conventional Hot Mix Asphalt (HMA) is characterized by high energy consumption and significant greenhouse gas emissions. In contrast, Cold Mix Asphalt (CMA), produced using ambient temperature processes, significantly reduces both energy consumption and carbon footprint, making it a key material for sustainable infrastructure. The main types of CMA are asphalt emulsion, cutback bitumen, and reactive asphalt (cold-mixed epoxy asphalt), each exhibiting distinct mechanisms for strength development. Although asphalt emulsion and cutback bitumen mixtures offer good workability at ambient temperatures, they typically show lower early strength and long-term durability compared to HMA. However, cold-mixed epoxy asphalt (CMEA) offers superior mechanical properties, although it faces challenges such as high viscosity and complex curing kinetics, which complicate conventional rheological assessments. In terms of application, asphalt emulsion mixtures are suitable for low-traffic maintenance in temperate regions, cutback bitumen mixtures are ideal for temporary repairs in arid zones, and CMEA is recommended for demanding applications, despite its higher cost. Future research should focus on optimizing CMA performance through innovative modifications, developing specialized testing methods for CMEA, and establishing comprehensive life cycle assessment (LCA) databases to foster broader adoption and ensure the long-term environmental benefits of CMA.