ECONOMIC AND FINANCIAL ANALYSIS FOR POLYMER MODIFIED BITUMEN

Abstract

Presently conventional bitumen and polymer modified bitumen are widely available in the market for road and highway construction. Reliable and robust bituminous concrete can be produced using both conventional bitumen and polymer modified bitumen. Thickness requirement of polymer modified bitumen is lesser than that of conventional bitumen but initial cost of construction of the former is comparatively higher. Moreover, maintenance and repair cost of polymer modified bitumen is also relatively lower than that of conventional mix during service period of road and highway infrastructure. The paper presents the advantage of polymer modified bitumen over conventional materials based on results of economic and financial analysis from a real case study with the provision of glare screen for road median barrier. Net present value and internal rate of return are determined using HDM 4 software. Road with polymer modified bitumen is found economically and financially most viable option.