Effect of Binder Type, Binder Content, Aggregate Gradation, Temperature and Air Voids on Rutting Susceptibility of Bituminous Mixes

Abstract

Abstract This paper presents an experimental investigation carried out to evaluate the rutting susceptibility of bituminous mixes. The effect of binder type and content, aggregate gradation and temperature are evaluated by means of a wheel tracking test. Two conventional VG 30 and VG 40 binders and one SBS polymer modified binder PMB 40 are used. Three types of aggregate gradations for bituminous concrete (BC), a dense graded mix commonly used surface course in the bituminous pavements in India have been considered. Wheel tracking tests are conducted at temperatures of 30, 40, 50 and 60 °C. Test results show that at high temperatures, polymer modified bituminous mixes performed better than the mixes prepared with conventional binders. However, the difference between rutting in mixes prepared with VG 40 and PMB 40 binders was marginal. Mixes with Superpave gradation performed better compared to the mixes with midpoint gradation. Keywords: aggregate, binder, bituminous mix, gradation, rutting