An empirical framework for determining asphalt mastic viscosity as a function of mineral filler concentration

Sufficient coating, easy paving and good compaction are desirable parameters, which are approachable with the optimum viscosity of the mastic. In many studies, models have been developed for calculating the viscosity for different types of suspensions at various particle-to-fluid ratios. Unfortunately, none of them are applicable to asphalt mastics, since this material has a much wider range of mineral filler concentration from dilute to very concentrate. To give an overview of the existing viscosity models and to evaluate their range of applicability to asphalt mastics, an extensive literature review was performed. A new empirical framework was developed that removes some of the stipulated limitations of the existing theories.