Evaluation of the fatigue macro-cracking behavior of crumb rubber modified bituminous mixes

F Moreno-Navarro,E Tomás-Fortún,M C Rubio-Gámez,A Ramírez-Rodriguez,F Valor-Hernández

doi:10.3989/mc.2014.07913

F Moreno-Navarro, E Tomás-Fortún + Show 3 more

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https://doi.org/10.3989/mc.2014.07913

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Abstract

The use of crumb rubber modified bitumen (CRMB) in asphalt mixes is a road engineering technology that has become increasingly important in recent years. Given the many economic and environmental benefits of this type of binder, the goal is to give CRMB the same level of performance as conventional polymer-modified bitumen. The appearance and propagation of cracks due to fatigue phenomena is one of the most common distresses affecting road pavements. Since crumb rubber enhances the mechanical properties of asphalt mixes, it can provide a viable solution for fatigue cracking. This paper presents the results of a comparative analysis of the fatigue-cracking behavior of asphalt mixtures manufactured with crumb rubber modified bitumen and polymer-modified bitumen.

Highlights

RESUMEN: Evaluación del comportamiento a macro-fisuración por fatiga de mezclas bituminosas modificadas con polvo de neumático
It is crucial to design materials, capable of withstanding the stresses and strains produced by cyclic traffic loads and temperature changes, which are the main causes of fatigue cracking [1]
There is a need for an in-depth study of why and how cracks appear and propagate, in order to improve the mechanical performance of bituminous mixes for a wide range of environmental conditions and for different types of load

Summary

Introduction

RESUMEN: Evaluación del comportamiento a macro-fisuración por fatiga de mezclas bituminosas modificadas con polvo de neumático. The reaction between the CRM and bitumen at a certain temperature increases the viscosity of the bitumen and modifies its rheological properties, giving it greater elasticity and lower thermal susceptibility Since this makes the CRM mix more resistant to fatigue cracking, the addition of crumb rubber modifier is an effective way to delay cracking and prolong the service life of the pavement surface [4,5,6]. Given these reasons as well as the many advantages of recycling end-of-life tires, great efforts are currently being made to develop high-performance bitumens modified with crumb rubber. The objective is for this binder to achieve a performance similar to that of the polymermodified bitumens (SBS and EVA), which are currently in use

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