Laboratory Investigation of Moisture Damage in Asphalt Rubber Hot Mixes Using Warm Mix Technology

Abstract

The advantages of using asphalt rubber pavement strategies have been validated by many research efforts. However, the most obvious disadvantage of asphalt rubber hot mix is requiring a higher mix and placement temperature in order to obtain adequate workability, which results in higher energy requirements and asphalt easy ageing. By utilizing Warm Mix Asphalt(WMA) technology the temperature requirements of the asphalt rubber hot mix can be reduced significantly. Warm mix asphalt (WMA) is the name given to certain technologies that reduce the production and placement temperatures of asphalt mixes. Asphalt Rubber Hot Mix of containing Warm Mix technology is a very promising technology whether in energy saving or improving pavement performance. One of the main concentrations of crumb rubber mix is now on the moisture damage evaluation due to WMA additives. In this study, the objective was to conduct a laboratory investigation of moisture damage in Warm Rubber Mix Asphalt(WRMA). Currently, there are no standards or laboratory test data to support the knowledge area on the susceptibility of asphalt rubber mixtures to moisture damage. The widely accepted testing procedures i.e. indirect tensile strength (ITS) and tensile strength ratio (TSR) were performed to determine the moisture susceptibility of the mixtures.