Date Approved

6-9-2026

Embargo Period

6-9-2026

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Ph.D. Civil Engineering

Department

Civil and Environmental Engineering

College

Henry M. Rowan College of Engineering

Advisor

Yusuf Mehta, Ph.D.

Committee Member 1

Geoffrey M. Rowe, Ph.D.

Committee Member 2

Daniel Offenbacker, Ph.D.

Committee Member 3

Ping Lu, Ph.D.

Committee Member 4

Melissa Nallar, Ph.D.

Disciplines

Civil and Environmental Engineering | Civil Engineering | Engineering

Abstract

Asphalt concrete is a widely used paving material for roadway construction; however, pavement distresses such as thermal cracking (non-load associated), fatigue cracking (load-associated), and rutting (permanent deformation) continue to challenge the performance and longevity of flexible pavements. These issues diminish ride quality, reduce service life, and contribute to increased maintenance needs. Several modifiers, including polymers and fibers, have been used to mitigate pavement deterioration, yet improving the thermal response of asphalt mixtures remains a significant concern, particularly in climates with substantial temperature fluctuations. Microencapsulated Phase Change Materials (MPCMs) have recently emerged as a promising solution due to their ability to store and release thermal energy, thereby regulating pavement temperature and reducing thermal stresses. This study specifically addresses gaps in existing research by evaluating MPCM-modified asphalt binders and mixtures under non-steady-state thermal conditions, assessing MPCM survivability under short- and long-term aging, examining blended MPCMs to extend the thermoregulation range, and directly comparing mixture-level incorporation methods. The incorporation of MPCMs into asphalt binders and mixtures presents practical challenges such as encapsulation breakage and non-availability of suitable tests to find performance due to thermoregulation ability of MPCMs. Therefore, a comprehensive study was conducted to evaluate the feasibility, performance, and thermoregulation efficiency of MPCM-modified asphalt binders and mixtures under steady-state and non-steady-state thermal conditions. Multiple MPCM types with different melting ranges (M6, M28 and M37), as well as blended MPCMs (M6+M28), were incorporated using both wet mixing and proportional mixing methods. Laboratory experiments included rheological testing, thermal analysis, aging simulation, moisture susceptibility, rutting and cracking resistance evaluation, and mixture-level temperature ramp assessments. The novelty of this work lies in linking thermoregulation behavior to asphalt performance using non-steady-state testing, while accounting for aging effects, blended MPCM systems, and practical mixing methods. Overall, the use of MPCMs in asphalt mixtures shows potential to mitigate temperature-dependent pavement distresses, enhance durability in fluctuating environmental conditions, and extend pavement service life. With continued development and field validation, MPCMs may contribute to more resilient pavements and sustainable roadway infrastructure.

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