Using nanotechnology in asphalt paving has increased markedly to improve the asphalt characteristics and increase the road life, especially with the significant increase in traffic volumes. The present contribution evaluates the effects of ore nanoparticles namely ilmenite and bentonite on the engineering properties and performance of asphalt binder. The high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) micrograph was used to characterize the investigated nanomaterials. The nanoparticles were blended with asphalt binder with different percentages (0-5% for ilmenite and 0-10% for bentonite by weight of asphalt binder) to determine the appropriate mixing ratio that sustained the desired characteristics. Different tests were conducted to examine the properties of modified asphalt binder among which penetration, softening point, rotational viscosity, penetration index (PI) and ductility. The results of our study revealed an increase in softening point and rotational viscosity and decrease in binder penetration. Moreover, blending of variable amounts of nanomaterials with the asphalt binders has improved their physical properties compared with macroparticles blended and unmodified binders as indicated by the penetration index and ductility test. The most significant improvement in the modified binders was obtained by blending of 5% for two types of nanoparticles. Finally, the rut depth was measured by wheel track test for the modified asphalt mixture, with ilmenite and bentonite, to validate the obtained results. The results show that the engineering performance of asphalt produced from bitumen binder modified with nanoparticles is much better than conventional asphalt and such binder-modified asphalt is strongly recommended for use on site.

In order to study the influence of resin modifiers materials on the performance of hot mix asphalts (HMA), two types of resin modifiers were selected. One was anUnsaturated Polyester Resin (UPR) and the other was an Epoxy Resin (ER). Also, unsaturated polyester resin mixed with 3% epoxy resin (UPRER) was used according to test results, which gave preference to 3% additions. Marshal test was conducted to study the stability, flow, bulk density, air voids (AV), voids in mineral aggregate (VMA) and voids filled with bitumen (VFA) for controlled hot asphalt mixtures and resin: modified mixtures at various resin modifiers contents. A computer program named BISAR was also used to determine the total stress, strain and displacement in x-y, and z-direction for flexible pavements constructed with these hot mix asphalts modified with resin additives.Experimental results showed that all resin-modified asphalt mixtures have higher flow, bulk density and VFA compared with control mixture. The stability of asphalt mixtures with UPPER was always higher than the control mixture. Unlike, for type ER and UPR the stability was lower than the control mixture up to 1% and 2% respectively then they increase. The UPRER gave higher stability, flow, AV and VMA than the other types. Moreover, the UPR gave the highest value of bulk density and VFA. The maximum stability occurs at 3% resin modifiers content for all types. The total stress and strain relatively increase with the increase of mix depth till 10 cm, then they decrease for all types of resin modifiers. The maximum total stresses and strain in case of UPRER are higher values than those achieved by ER and UPR respectively. The total displacement in case of UPRER is higher than that achieved by ER and UPR respectively. As resin modifiers can improve the field performance of asphalt mixes comprehensively, they will be of great benefit to the engineering field.

This research represents a laboratory study of the effect of the aggregate shape in HMA. The shape of aggregates particles is not the only factor of aggregate characteristics which effect on HMA. Other Parameters such as aggregate gradation and aggregate surface texture are also effect. The aggregate shapes considered for the study were cubical, disk and blade shapes. Two aggregate surface textures used in the mix which were smooth and rough particles. The aggregate gradations used in the mixtures were maximum, medium and minimum gradation .Shape of aggregate was determined through two methods.The first method was an image measurement of coarse aggregate while the second method was particle shape index. Marshal tests and indirect tensile test were performed to investigate the different in behaviors of different samples with different parameters considered in this study taking into account that the control mix contains crushed gravel, rough aggregate particles with disk shape, medium gradation of aggregate and 4% of limestone powder as mineral filler.The results showed that using of cubical aggregate shape increased each of Marshall Stability, bulk density, Marshall Stiffness, Marshall Quotient, Stiffness Modulus and the Indirect Tensile Strength of the mix than disk and blade shapes while decreased each of flow and air voids. The results also, showed that medium gradation of aggregate had good results than other gradations. By using rough particles the values of ITS and stiffness modulus were higher than using smooth particles.