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The present paper investigates the effects of simultaneous mechanical foaming using water and fluxing with a bio-derived agent on the properties of three distinct asphalt binders: 50/70 paving-grade bitumen, 45/80–55 polymer-modified bitumen, and 45/80–80 highly modified asphalt binder. The testing involved classical tests for assessing binder consistency (penetration at 25 °C, ring and ball softening point, Fraass breaking point, and dynamic viscosity) as well as performance tests (high and low Superpave critical temperatures and multiple stress creep recovery). The tests included assessment directly after asphalt binder foaming and were repeated after a 14-day period. It was shown that bitumen foaming had only short-term effects on the asphalt binders, which did not persist in the repeated tests after 14 days. The fluxing agent that was utilized caused significant changes in the consistency of all asphalt binders. The changes in the performance characteristics of the 50/70 and 45/80–55 binders were severe and amounted to a significant decrease in high-temperature performance of these binders. On the other hand, an improvement in all performance characteristics in the case of the 45/80–80 asphalt binder was observed as a result of the applied processes, particularly when measured 14 days after foaming. This study shows that the simultaneous use of foaming and the fluxing additive decreased the dynamic viscosity of the 45/80–80 binder, while improving its properties relating the pavement performance.

Asphalt mixtures are commonly used for the pavement construction for national roads with a high traffic load, as well as local roads with low traffic load. The constructions of local road pavement consisting of thinner, more flexible layers located on less stable subbase than the pavement of national roads, require reinforcement with asphalt layers characterized by increased fatigue life. Technologies that allow quick repairs and reinforcements, while improving the durability of the road pavement are being sought. Such technologies include the use of modifications of asphalt mixtures with special fibers. The paper presents the results of investigations of the properties of asphalt mixtures modified with innovative basalt-polymer fibers FRP. On the basis of the obtained test results according to the Marshall method, stiffness modulus and fatigue durability, the technical properties of asphalt mixtures with FRP fibers addition were improved. This technology significantly increases the fatigue life of asphalt concrete dedicated for repairs and reinforcements of road pavements.

The paper presents the proposition of special assessment of lowtemperature requirements for bitumens in the region of Central and Eastern Europe where there is a moderate transitional area from sea to the continental type of climate. The results of the research program conducted on the road neat bitumens, Styrene-Butadiene-Styrene polymer and polymer-rubber modified bitumen, and multigrade bitumen types were presented and discussed. Based on the Superior Performing Asphalt Pavements Performance Grade procedure for low temperatures, climatic zones in Poland were developed and compared to analogous zones for other countries from the Central and Eastern Europe region as Estonia and Belarus. The results of functional Performance Grade tests and European standard test of bituminous binders were analysed. It was concluded that some of the bitumens were not meet the performance requirements in the range of low temperatures by Superior Performing Asphalt Pavements Superpave specification and the low-temperature properties of those bitumens should be improved.

Bitumen used for the construction of road pavements should exhibit adequate resistance to loads at high operating temperatures. An effective method of improving the properties of bitumen is their modification. To evaluate the high-temperature properties of bitumen, standard consistency tests and advanced rheological tests under dynamic load are conducted. The main purpose of the article is to assess the high temperature properties of modified binders produced by two major Polish producers. The assessment was based on the tests results of modified binders in the range of the standard softening point temperature test and tests in the dynamic shear rheometer (DSR) according to the requirements of Strategic Highway Research Program (SHRP) and Multiple Stress Creep Recovery Test (MSCR). It has been shown that due to the highest operating temperatures of road pavements in Poland, produced bituminous binders meet the requirements of resistance to permanent deformation with a great reserve.

The paper presents the issue of resistance to permanent deformations of bridge pavements placed upon concrete bridge decks. In Europe, bridge asphalt pavement usually consists of a wearing course and a protective layer, which are placed over the insulation (waterproofing). Protective layers of bridge pavement are commonly constructed using low air void content asphalt mixes as this provides the suitable tightness of such layers. Due to increased binder content, asphalt mixes for bridge pavement may have reduced resistance to permanent deformations. The article presents test results of resistance to permanent deformations of asphalt mixes for the protective layers. In order to determine the composition of mixtures with low air void content and resistance to permanent deformation, an experimental design was applied using a new concept of asphalt mix composition. Twenty-seven different asphalt mixture compositions were analyzed. The mixtures varied in terms of binder content, sand content and grit ratio. Resistance to permanent deformation was tested using the laboratory uniaxial cyclic compression method (dynamic load creep). On the basis of experimental results and statistical analysis, the functions of asphalt mixture permanent deformation resistance were established. This enabled a determination of suitable mixture compositions for protective layers for concrete bridge decks.

The benefits of the use of cold recycling mixtures (CRMs) in pavement rehabilitation are associated with both the reduction of natural resource consumption by replacing them with recycled materials and the reduction of energy consumption during their production and paving. The evolution of the stiffness of CRMs in road construction and the fatigue life of pavements with CRM base layers are still being investigated. In this paper, CRMs with 1% cement content, called bitumen-stabilized materials with bitumen emulsion (BSM-Es), were examined. Mixtures that were differentiated in terms of Reclaimed Asphalt Pavement (RAP) content, as well as the amount and type of bitumen emulsions, were subjected to indirect tensile stiffness modulus (ITSM) tests at 5 °C, 13 °C, and 20 °C. The thermal sensitivities of the BSM-E mixtures were analyzed. BSM-E mixture stiffness modulus levels at various temperatures were determined using a statistical approach. On the basis of the results obtained, a discussion on the mechanistic-empirical design of flexible pavements with BSM-E base layers is presented. The potential benefits of using BSM-E materials in road construction in certain aspects of pavement life are indicated.

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