Effect of Steel Wool Fibre Addition on Self-Healing Capability and Marshall Characteristics of Rehabilitated Asphalt Concrete Wearing Course (AC–WC)

Authors

  • Ernesto Silitonga

    Department of Civil Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Universitas Negeri Medan, Medan 20221, Indonesia
  • Muhammad Qarinur

    Department of Civil Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Universitas Negeri Medan, Medan 20221, Indonesia
  • Hamidun Batubara

    Department of Civil Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Universitas Negeri Medan, Medan 20221, Indonesia
  • Syahreza Alvan

    Department of Civil Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Universitas Negeri Medan, Medan 20221, Indonesia
  • Dody Taufik Sibuea

    Department of Civil Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Universitas Negeri Medan, Medan 20221, Indonesia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.30564/jbms.v8i1.12577
Received: 25 October 2025 | Revised: 30 December 2025 | Accepted: 8 January 2026 | Published Online: 3 February 2026

Abstract

This study investigates the effect of steel wool fibre addition on the self-healing capability and Marshall performance of Asphalt Concrete Wearing Course (AC–WC). The concept of induction-activated self-healing is introduced to prolong pavement service life by restoring mechanical integrity after microcracking. Four fibre dosages (0%, 1%, 1.5%, and 2%) were evaluated through Marshall testing and controlled induction-healing cycles. The Marshall results revealed a decreasing stability trend with increasing fibre content, from 1870 kg at 0 % to 1717 kg, 1367 kg, and 1038 kg at 1%, 1.5%, and 2%, respectively. Flow increased to 4.3 mm at 1.5% before slightly decreasing at 2%, while VIM rose significantly from 3.82% to 13.85% with increasing fibre dosage. The Marshall Quotient declined from 558 kg/mm at 0% to 276 kg/mm at 2%, indicating reduced stiffness at high fibre contents. Healing performance, assessed via three-point bending before and after induction, showed the highest recovery at 1–1.5% fibre content, confirming the role of conductive fibres in enabling localized binder regeneration. These findings demonstrate that a 1% fibre dosage offers a practical balance between structural stability and healing capability. The results support the potential use of conductive-fibre-modified asphalt as a cost-effective smart pavement strategy in tropical regions while highlighting the need for further field validation and standardization before large-scale implementation.

Keywords:

Self-Healing Asphalt; Steel Wool Fibre; Induction Heating; AC–WC; Marshall Test; Pavement Durability

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How to Cite

Silitonga, E., Qarinur, M., Batubara, H., Alvan, S., & Sibuea, D. (2026). Effect of Steel Wool Fibre Addition on Self-Healing Capability and Marshall Characteristics of Rehabilitated Asphalt Concrete Wearing Course (AC–WC). Journal of Building Material Science, 8(1), 54–68. https://doi.org/10.30564/jbms.v8i1.12577

Issue

Vol. 8 , Iss. 1 (March 2026): In Progress

Article Type

Article

License

Copyright © 2026 Ernesto Silitonga, Muhammad Qarinur, Hamidun Batubara, Syahreza Alvan, Dody Taufik Sibuea

Creative Commons License

This is an open access article under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International (CC BY-NC 4.0) License.

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