Evaluating the Influence of Polymer Modified Asphalt Binders on Low Temperature Properties

Abstract

Low temperature cracking is one of the most common distress types in asphalt concrete pavements, particularly in cold regions. Many factors influence the behaviour of asphalt concrete pavements at low temperatures, such as the applied traffic load, environmental conditions and material characteristics. Asphalt binders are one of the primary factors that influence material properties. The purpose of this study is to compare the performance of two types of asphalt binders: styrene-butadiene-styrene (SBS) modified asphalt binder and unmodified asphalt binder in resisting low temperature cracking. The study was conducted in Flagstaff, located at the area of Northern Arizona, in the United States. Asphalt samples were collected from the paving sections and were compacted and trimmed into small beams. Bending Beam Rheometer tests were performed, using the trimmed specimens at temperatures of -6°C, -12°C and -18°C. Based on the results of the study, it was concluded that, SBS modified asphalt binder performs better in resisting low temperature cracking, compared to the unmodified binder. Based on the study outcomes, it is recommended to use SBS polymer modified polymers in areas subjected to severe cold weather events to maximize the life span of asphalt concrete pavements.

Evaluation of HMA Modified with Titan Polymer

“…The test results showed that it is necessary to use twice as much CR as SBS to reach the same performance as SBS. Authors in [18] investigated the performance of asphalt mixtures modified with SBS polymer against low-temperature cracking. A Beam Rheometer (BBR) test was used with the trimmed specimens at different temperatures.…”

Evaluating the Effect of Polymer Modification on the Low-Temperature Rheological Properties of Asphalt Binder

“…They concluded that the effect of modification on the low-temperature properties of bituminous binders was small. Authors of [3,4] concluded that modified bitumens have better resistance to low temperature cracking compared to the unmodified ones while Peng [5] found that at −12 • C and −18 • C, the low-temperature stability of the modified bitumen is significantly increased, although at −24 • C it is slightly reduced. Lu et al in work [6] reported that the glass transition temperature of a bitumen defined as the temperature of the peak loss modulus is reduced by polymer modification; but the results of creep tests performed using a BBR at temperatures of−15 • C, −20 • C, 25 • C, and −30 • C showed that polymer modification does not give beneficial effect; in some cases, especially for the limiting temperature at 0.3 m value, even adverse effect is found for polymer modification.…”