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

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.