Engineering characterisation of epoxidized natural rubber-modified hot-mix asphalt

Abstract

Road distress results in high maintenance costs. However, increased understandings of asphalt behaviour and properties coupled with technological developments have allowed paving technologists to examine the benefits of introducing additives and modifiers. As a result, polymers have become extremely popular as modifiers to improve the performance of the asphalt mix. This study investigates the performance characteristics of epoxidized natural rubber (ENR)-modified hot-mix asphalt. Tests were conducted using ENR–asphalt mixes prepared using the wet process. Mechanical testing on the ENR–asphalt mixes showed that the resilient modulus of the mixes was greatly affected by testing temperature and frequency. On the other hand, although rutting performance decreased at high temperatures because of the increased elasticity of the ENR–asphalt mixes, fatigue performance improved at intermediate temperatures as compared to the base mix. However, durability tests indicated that the ENR–asphalt mixes were slightly susceptible to the presence of moisture. In conclusion, the performance of asphalt pavement can be enhanced by incorporating ENR as a modifier to counter major road distress.

Characterization of chloroprene rubber-modified asphalt binders

“…Previous research has suggested that mixing elastomeric additives with asphalt binder requires a speed between 3000 and 6000 r/min, 10,23–27 a time of 30–60 min, 10,23,24,26–28 and a temperature of 140–160°C. 23,24,26–29…”

“…Previous research has suggested that mixing elastomeric additives with asphalt binder requires a speed between 3000 and 6000 r/min, 10,[23][24][25][26][27] a time of 30-60 min, 10,23,24,[26][27][28] and a temperature of 140-160°C. 23,24,[26][27][28][29] In this study, similar to the literature, the process of blending chloroprene rubber (CR) and the base asphalt binder involved using a high shear mixer. Initially, the base asphalt binder was placed in a temperature-controlled container under the mixer and preconditioned for 10 min at 160°C and 4000 r/min to ensure uniformity.…”

Investigating the Mechanical Properties and Durability of Asphalt Mixture Modified with Epoxidized Natural Rubber (ENR) under Short and Long-Term Aging Conditions

“…Figure 1 shows the gradation of the mixture adopted in this study. The design data for the asphalt mix was taken from an earlier publication by Al-Mansob et al [ 34 ].…”

“…ENR is said to increase the viscosity and rigidity of binders while lowering their temperature susceptibility. Furthermore, the optimal level of the modification in the binder was reported to be 6% ENR [ 12 , 34 , 37 , 38 ]. Therefore, the ENR was employed in this research to eliminate some of the aforementioned NR disadvantages at different environmental conditions, including short- and long-term aging.…”

A Review of Using Natural Rubber in the Modification of Bitumen and Asphalt Mixtures Used for Road Construction

“…Natural rubber was observed to have superior reactivity, which improve the properties of bitumen, such as adhesion, in comparison to other types of rubber used in bitumen modification. NR was also observed to have a strong cohesion with aggregates; this increases the stiffness of bitumen at high temperatures, thereby improving the performance of asphalt mixtures [20]. This review will discuss the sources, types, manufacturing processes, and significance of the use of NR in bitumen modification.…”