LAUSR

Abstract In this paper, atomic force microscopy (AFM) was utilized to investigate the surface microscopic morphology (SMM) and bee structure (BS) of several asphalts and quantitatively evaluate them via roughness theory. The effects of asphalt properties, aging, moisture and anti-stripping agents on the SMM and BS were studied comprehensively. Five types of asphalts were investigated, and each asphalt was prepared with four different conditions. The results showed that the oil source was the only factor among the asphalt properties that influenced the presence of BS, and the BS changed the SMM. The larger the asphalt grade was, the rougher the asphalt SMM, the larger the BS number and the smaller the BS size. The SMM of SBS-modified asphalt was flatter than that of the original asphalt. After aging, the SMM of matrix asphalt became smooth, while the SMM of SBS-modified asphalt became rough. Compared to the original asphalt, the BS number and size of the aged asphalt increased and decreased, respectively. After immersion in water, the phenomenon of water piercing occurred on the asphalt surface, which further changed the SMM and BS; specifically, the roughness of the SMM increased, the BS size decreased, the BS peak increased, and the BS valley decreased. After being blended with the anti-stripping agent, the SMM of the matrix asphalts became smooth, and the SBS-modified asphalts became rough; the BS number increased, the BS size decreased, and both the BS peak and the maximum valley decreased.