Low-Temperature Asphalt Design for Energy-Resilient Rural Infrastructure: A Humanitarian Engineering Experimental Assessment in Peru (#2632)

Authors

Garcia Mendoza, Alan

Alzamora De Los Godos Urcia, Luis Alex

Calderón Saldaña, Jully Pahola

Valladolid Marcos, Fiorella Sthefany

De La Rosa Condormango, Rossina Dany

Huarachi Chuquimia, Gladys

Quispe Bardales, Mariela Eraida

Abstract

Energy-intensive pavement production represents a structural barrier for rural and low-resource municipalities in developing countries. This study reframes a 2021 experimental asphalt design dataset within a Humanitarian Engineering perspective, evaluating low-temperature asphalt mixtures as an energy-resilient alternative for rural infrastructure systems in Peru. A quantitative, experimental, longitudinal laboratory design was employed using 24 Marshall specimens (12 conventional hot mix asphalt and 12 low-temperature modified mixtures). Mechanical performance indicators included bulk specific gravity, air voids, flow, corrected stability, and stiffness index. Statistical analysis was conducted using one-way ANOVA to compare performance behavior across mixture types. Results demonstrated statistically significant differences in flow (F=9.523; p<0.001), corrected stability (F=9.019; p<0.001), and stiffness index (F=20.144; p<0.001), while air void content showed no significant variation (p=0.519). Although conventional asphalt exhibited higher structural rigidity, the low-temperature mixture maintained acceptable mechanical performance within national specifications while enabling reduced production temperatures. From a humanitarian engineering standpoint, these findings suggest that controlled reduction in mixture rigidity may enhance constructability, decrease energy demand, and improve feasibility of pavement production in energy-constrained rural contexts. The study proposes a resilience-based framework for asphalt design prioritizing energy efficiency, local adaptability, and environmental mitigation over maximum mechanical rigidity.