Dataset Description

Context and methodology

Research domain

This dataset was created in the field of bitumen rheology and pavement materials research. It supports the development and validation of the Bitumen Black Space Model (B2SM), a mathematical framework for quantitatively describing the rheological behaviour of unmodified, polymer-modified and oil modified bituminous binders using Black Space Diagrams derived from Dynamic Shear Rheometer (DSR) measurements.

Purpose of the dataset

The dataset provides experimental rheological data collected from multiple independent research groups to evaluate the robustness and applicability of the proposed B2SM across a wide range of binder types, ageing conditions, and testing methodologies. By combining data originating from several laboratories, the dataset captures a broad spectrum of rheological responses representative of both conventional and polymer-modified binders.

The data are intended for:

• validation of the Bitumen Black Space Model (B2SM);

• comparison of rheological behaviour between different binder types;

• investigation of ageing effects on binder rheology;

• development and benchmarking of alternative rheological models;

• reproducible research in bitumen rheology.

Dataset creation

The dataset consists of Dynamic Shear Rheometer (DSR) frequency sweep measurements collected by six independent research groups (Research Groups A–F), representing four academic research institutions and two industrial partners. In total, 172 binder datasets are included.

The dataset contains both unmodified, polymer-modified and oil-modified binders originating from various crude oil sources, refinery processes, penetration grades, and polymer modifications. The modified binders range from linear or radial SBS, to polypropylene, to also rejuvenated binders or oil modified, like re-refined engine oil bottoms (REOB), all with varying degrees of dosages.

Many binders were evaluated at multiple laboratory ageing states. These ranged from short term protocols like the Rolling Thin Film Oven Test (RTFOT) and the Viennese Binder Ageing equivalent PreVBA; to also long-term Pressure Ageing Vessel (PAV) at 20 to 80h of PAV conditioning and specialised ageing protocols such as the Viennese Binder Ageing (VBA) with Ozone, NOx, light, 75g/m³ H₂O humidity and Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS). The Viennese Binder Ageing protocols have been developed since several years to better mimic environmental conditions of asphalt pavements, rather than the conventional thermal ageing. Additionally, field aged binders were analysed as well, marked as for example F018, representing the 18 months that these binders were subjected to natural environmental conditions of ageing.

Although all data originate from DSR frequency sweep measurements, the participating research groups employed different experimental settings, including varying temperature ranges, frequency ranges, step sizes, and plate geometries. These variations are preserved within the dataset, providing a realistic representation of inter-laboratory variability while maintaining the original measurement conditions.

Technical details

Dataset structure

The repository contains the experimental datasets together with documentation and an example implementation of the Bitumen Black Space Model (B2SM).

The data are organised by research group (A–F), with individual files corresponding to specific binders, modifications and ageing conditions. File names identify the respective binder and testing condition, allowing each measurement to be traced to its source while maintaining a consistent naming convention throughout the repository.

Each dataset contains the rheological quantities required for Black Space Diagram analysis, including the complex shear modulus (|G*|), phase shift angle (δ), and the corresponding testing conditions (frequency and temperature).

Software requirements

The experimental data are provided in standard file formats (.csv) that can be accessed using common spreadsheet software or scientific computing environments.

A separate repository entry provides a reference Python implementation of the Bitumen Black Space Model (B2SM). The implementation demonstrates how to load the dataset, apply the mathematical formulation of the B2SM, and reproduce representative Black Space Diagram analyses. It is intended as a transparent reference implementation to support reproducibility and may be adapted or extended for future research.

Additional resources

A separate repository entry contains the reference implementation of the Bitumen Black Space Model (B2SM), while the corresponding scientific publication provides the theoretical background, mathematical derivation of the model, description of the fitting procedure, and interpretation of the model parameters. Together, these resources complement the experimental dataset and support its reuse for rheological analysis and model development.

Further details

The data were collected by multiple independent research groups using their respective experimental protocols. Consequently, differences in testing temperatures, frequency ranges, measurement resolution, and laboratory procedures should be regarded as inherent characteristics of the dataset rather than inconsistencies