Evaluating the effects of additives, gradation and traffic conditions on damping ratio and resonant frequency in asphalt mixtures

Abstract

Urbanisation and the expansion of transportation infrastructures have significantly intensified vehicular traffic, leading to increased vibrations, particularly in urban areas. These challenges pose risks to the health, safety and structural integrity of critical and historical buildings, necessitating innovative solutions. High-damping asphalt pavements have emerged as a promising strategy for mitigating these effects. However, studies on the damping performance and resonant frequency of asphalt mixtures remain limited. This study evaluates the damping ratio and resonant frequency of asphalt mixtures under the influence of additives, gradation and light, medium and heavy traffic conditions using non-destructive impact resonance testing. Stone Mastic Asphalt (SMA), Hot Mix Asphalt (HMA) and porous asphalt mixtures were analysed, incorporating crumb rubber and PolyBit polymer in varying proportions. Results demonstrated that the inclusion of 15% crumb rubber and 6% PolyBit improved the damping ratio by 128% and 72%, respectively, while reducing the resonant frequency by 43% and 38% compared to control mixtures. Among the analysed asphalt types, porous asphalt exhibited the highest damping performance, followed by SMA and HMA. These findings underscore the critical role of additives, mixture gradation and traffic levels in enhancing the damping properties of asphalt mixtures. © 2025 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.