Review of bonding behavior, mechanisms, and characterization approach in bituminous materials under different conditions

Bituminous materials play a crucial role in the construction industry, serving as essential binders in asphalt mixtures. Understanding their bonding behavior, mechanism, and characterization is imperative for enhancing pavement performance, durability, and sustainability. Despite the widespread use of bituminous materials, challenges persist in optimizing their physical, rheological, and mechanical properties, addressing aging effects, and developing eco-friendly alternatives. The modification can be made by incorporating modifiers or additives, such as anti-stripping agents, surfactants, and bonding promoters, at their optimal dosages. Technically, the cohesion and adhesion bonds could be reinforced by adding a designated percentage of additives to the asphalt binder and within the asphalt-aggregate interfaces in asphalt mixtures. Prior to improving the pavement materials for road construction, adhesion and wetting properties also need to be given crucial attention. The inter-surface characteristics and their morphological behavior significantly influence the adhesion and cohesion bonding within binder-aggregate matrices, as indicated by the good correlations in both dry and wet conditions between failure pattern and bond strength. This review highlights recent breakthroughs in bituminous material research, emphasizing innovative approaches to enhance performance, durability, and environmental compatibility, providing insights for future advancements in asphalt pavement engineering. To advance the development of robust, environmentally sensitive asphalt pavements and guarantee a sustainable and effective transportation infrastructure for years to come, cooperation between researchers, engineers, and industry stakeholders is important. • Bonding-related pavement distresses bituminous mixtures were briefly outlined. • Bonding failure mechanisms and their characteristics were reviewed in detail. • Additives were implemented to enhance bonding strength within asphalt mixtures. • Assessments on bonding performance and characteristics were presented.