Laboratory and field evaluation of the warm fiber reinforced high performance asphalt mixtures (case study Karaj – Chaloos Road)

Abstract

Using modified asphalt mixture is inevitable to improve technical performance of asphalt pavement and it will be achieved via asphalt mixture or bitumen improvement. In the present study, a combination of these methods are applied simultaneously using Fischer–Tropsch Paraffin wax (Sasobit) as one of the most widely used bitumen modifiers in the production of warm mix asphalt mixtures, and Polyolefin – Aramid FORTA polymer fibers as a reinforcing factor of asphalt mixture. The modified and unmodified asphalt performance at high, intermediate, and low temperatures were evaluated on two stages of laboratory and field sampling using dynamic creep, rutting, resilient modulus indirect tensile fatigue, moisture sensitivity, resistance for compaction, and fracture tests. The results indicate that simultaneous use of Polyolefin – Aramid FORTA polymer fibers and Fischer–Tropsch Paraffin wax (Sasobit) not only increase significantly the asphalt mixture resistance, but also it helps to improve asphalt mixture workability, including mixing, transportation, paving, and compacting. This will result in environmental pollutions and implementation cost reduction as well as asphalt life extension.