A performance evaluation framework for asphalt rejuvenators based on the rheological properties of recycled asphalt

Rejuvenating agents have been widely applied to recover the performance of aged asphalt. However, effective methods for evaluating their performance remain insufficient. To fill this research gap, three types of rejuvenators were selected as case studies to prepare recycled asphalts, and their rheological properties were systematically evaluated through laboratory experiments. Drawing on the rheological indicators of recycled asphalt, a rejuvenator performance assessment framework was developed through the entropy method. Although the rejuvenating agents recovered the penetration and softening point of the aged asphalt to levels comparable to those of virgin binder, significant differences remained in its rheological properties. This highlights the limitation of relying on a single index to evaluate rejuvenator performance. The proposed framework enables a more objective and balanced assessment of rejuvenator performance. This study offers technical guidance for the performance evaluation of rejuvenators and contributes to the efficient recycling of aged asphalt.