Effect of bitumen type and polymer on physico-mechanical properties of asphalt pavement

Abstract

Currently, worldwide, different technologies or different materials are used to increase the performance of the asphalt mix. Depending on climate and traffic conditions, each country has adopted specific solutions that improve the behaviour of asphalt pavement over time. Because each of these products has a particular effect, it is not possible to add a product to the mix to improve all of its technical features. The performance of asphalt pavement depends on the optimal selection of basic materials: natural aggregates, filler, bitumen, polymer and fiber. The aim of this paper is to investigate the relationship between the constituents of the asphalt mixture and its physico-mechanical properties. Characteristic properties of bitumen used in the mixtures were determined by conventional bitumen tests and rheological tests according to SHRP. After optimum bitumen content was determined, the influence of the polymer in the mixture was studied. SMA mixes were prepared with different penetration grades bitumen, from different sources and performance tests were conducted in order to evaluate the behaviour of the mixtures.