Investigation of Possible Improving of Bitumen Properties Using Nano-Materials

Abstract

In Iraq, asphalt roads suffer a lot of problems because of the high traffic and climatic conditions represented by high temperatures in the summer, which reduce the service life of the road, so it became necessary to improve the rheological and physical properties of asphalt and thus improve the performance of asphalt paving. Nanotechnology is one of the methods used for improvement has been adopted in the research. The possibility of improving the properties of asphalt was studied using Nano silica)NS) and Nano hydrated lime (NHL)with percentages (1,3,5and7)% by total weight of asphalt. Tests were performed to evaluate the enhance in softening point, penetration, kinematic viscosity and penetration index of the asphalt with penetration grade (60-70). The results of the laboratory study show the improvements in the properties of asphalt By reducing the amount of penetration and increasing the softening point of the asphalt, thus it becomes more stiffer and less sensitive to temperatures than the original asphalt, in addition to that, the results showed that an improvement in the values of viscosity and penetration index, and this in turn leads to an increase in the adhesion and cohesion of asphalt and asphalt mixture as well as the possibility of using modified asphalt with Nano-materials in areas with high temperatures and traffic load.