Enhancement rheological properties of asphalt binder modified with hybrid polymers according to superpave system

Abstract

Abstract Asphalt is a complex mixture consisted of physical phases and composed of hydrocarbons and nonmetallic derivatives. Due to the effects of vehicle loading repeated and cycling of temperature, neat asphaltic concrete pavements are exposed to cracking and rutting, therefore; modification of the neat asphalt is generally required. The main objectives of this research is to investigate the influence of using hybrid elastomer and plastomer polymers on rheological properties and chemical bonding of the asphalt binder. In this work, 1% and 3% of (PVC) (Polyvinyl Chloride) were added for both pure asphalt and asphalt modified with 3% (SBS) (Styrene Butadiene Styrene) “Hybrid plastomer and elastomer polymers”. To determine the performance grade (PG) of modified asphalt and assess its rheological properties superpave system tests were applied tacking into account short and long term aging while FTIR test was used to study the effect of modifiers on chemical bonding. The results of the study reveal that the PG increased by one degree when 1% of PVC is used but PG increased by two degrees when 3% of PVC and 3% of SBS are added. The results also show that PG increased three degrees when 1% PVC plus 3% SBS are sued while it increased four degrees when 3%PVC plus 3% SBS are sued. This gives an indication that hybrid polymers have significant influence on improving the PG of the modified asphalt as compared with control asphalt binder. From FTIR test results, it is found that the modified asphalt binder had a positive influence on aging process as compared with neat asphalt; therefore, fatigue cracking and rutting of the modified asphalt will be improved.