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This paper mainly aims at investigating the effect of using multi-wall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) as an additive on the rheological properties of asphalt. Pristine (P-MWCNTs) were mixed at 120 °C with control asphalt at contents of 0.5%, 1.0%, 2.0% and 3.0% by asphalt weight. The empirical and rheological properties (using the Superpave testing) of the control and modified asphalts were evaluated at different aging conditions. The rheological properties of the modified asphalts were found to improve with increasing the percentage of P-MWCNTs. The high failure temperature and rutting resistance of both unaged and rolling thin film oven aged (RTFO) modified asphalts increased with increasing P-MWCNTs percentage and became suitable for the Egyptian climatic conditions as required by the Superpave binder characterization. At a given temperature, the fatigue cracking resistance and low temperature cracking resistance decreased with increasing P-MWCNTs percentage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] NCHRP1-37A yielded better E * values compared to NCHRP 1-40D model at all binder characterization input levels. [•] NCHRP1-37A E * model with Level 3 binder characterization produced the most accurate and the least biased estimates. [•] Because of the hot desert climate in KSA, care should be taken when using such models for E * predictions. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]