Predicting Mixing and Compaction Temperatures of Polymer Modified Bitumen

Abstract

Despite many advantages of using polymer additives in bitumen, there are several challenges bordering on standards and specifications with regards to their utilization. One of these challenges is related with specifying the required heating or mixing and compaction temperatures of the polymer modified bitumen. The standard method (ASTM D 2493) aims to determine mixing and compaction temperatures of the base or unmodified bitumen. Nevertheless, the application of this method in the case of polymer modified bitumen led to very high temperatures which may not be appropriate for PMB. In this paper, some alternative methods named as the high shear rate and steady shear flow method suggested in the literature have been examined and tested for 50/70 and 160/220 penetration grade bitumen samples involving an elastomeric type of additive. A suggested method has also been proposed to overcome the complexities in the implementation of the alternative methods.

Keywords

• Mixing,Compaction,Polymer Modified bitumen,High Shear Rate,Steady Shear Flow

References

1. 1. Hunter, R. N., Self, A., & Read, J. The shell bitumen handbook. 6th edn, ICE Publishing, 2015.
2. 2. Sengoz, B., & Isikyakar, G. 2008. Evaluation of the properties and microstructure of SBS and EVA polymer modified bitumen. Construction and Building Materials; 22(9): 1897-1905.
3. 3. Şirin Micaelo, R., A. Santos, and C. Duarte.: Mixing and compaction temperatures of asphalt mixtures with modified bitumen, 5th Eurasphalt & Eurobitume Congress, Istanbul, Turkey, 2012, pp. 7.
4. 4. West, R. C., Watson, D. E., Turner, P. A., & Casola, J. R. 2010. Mixing and compaction temperatures of asphalt binders in hot-mix asphalt (No. Project 9-39).
5. 5. Terrel, R.L., and J.A. Epps. 1989.Using Additives and Modifiers in Hot Mix Asphalt,” Quality Improvement Series 114, National Asphalt Pavement Association,
6. 6. Shenoy, A. 2001. Determination of the temperature for mixing aggregates with polymer-modified asphalts. International Journal of Pavement Engineering; 2(1): 33-47.
7. 7. Shuler, T., D. Hanson, and R. McKeen. 1992. Design and Construction of Asphalt Concrete Using Polymer Modified Asphalt Binders, ASTM STP 1108.
8. 8. Clark, R. C. 1958. Practical results of asphalt hardening on pavement life. Journal of the Association of Asphalt Paving Technologists; 27: 196-208.

9. 9. Bahia, H.U., D.I. Hanson, M. Zeng, H. Zhai, M.A. Khatri, and R.M Anderson. 2001. NCHRP Report 459: Characterization of Modified Asphalt Binders in Superpave Mix Design, Transportation Research Board, National Research Council, Washington, D.C.
10. 10. Stroup-Gardiner, M., Lange, C. R., & Carter, A. 2005. Quantification of emission potential from asphalt binders using mass loss and opacity measurements. International Journal of Pavement Engineering; 6(3): 191-200.
11. 11. Khatri, A., H.U. Bahia, and D. Hanson. 2001. Mixing and Compaction Temperatures for Modified Binders using the Superpave Gyratory Compactor, Journal of the Association of Asphalt Paving Technologists, Vol. 70.
12. 12. Stuart, K.D. 2002. Methodology for Determining Compaction Temperatures for Modified Asphalt Binders, FHWA-RD-02-016, Federal Highway Administration.
13. 13. Anjan Kumar, S., Sarvanan, U., Murali Krishnan, J., & Veeraragavan, A. 2014. Rheological characterisation of modified binders at mixing and compaction temperature. International Journal of Pavement Engineering; 15(9): 767-785.
14. 14. Grover, R. 2002. “Determining Mixing and Compaction Temperatures of Asphalt Binders Using Zero Shear Viscosity,” RMAUPG Binder Subcommittee Meeting.
15. 15. Lange, C. R., & Stroup-Gardiner, M. 2005. Quantification of potentially odorous volatile organic compounds from asphalt binders using head-space gas chromatography. Journal of Testing and Evaluation; 33(2): 101-109.
16. 16. Sengoz, B., & Isikyakar, G. 2008. Analysis of styrene-butadiene-styrene polymer modified bitumen using fluorescent microscopy and conventional test methods. Journal of Hazardous Materials; 150(2): 424-432.
17. 17. Kaya, D., Topal, A., & McNally, T. 2019. Relationship between processing parameters and aging with the rheological behaviour of SBS modified bitumen. Construction and Building Materials; 221, 345-350.
18. 18. Uncu, D, Topal, A, Seydibeyoglu, M O, & Sengoz, B. Investigation of Phase Separation and Storage Stability Behaviour of SBS Polymer Modified Bitumens Containing Sepiolite Nanoclay, 13th International Congress on Advances in Civil Engineering, Izmir, TURKEY, 2018, pp 1-8.
19. 19. Munera, J. C., & Ossa, E. A. 2014. Polymer modified bitumen: Optimization and selection. Materials & Design (1980-2015), 62, 91-97.
20. 20. ASTM D2493 "Standard Viscosity-Temperature Chart for Asphalts." American Society for Testing and Materials; West Conshohocken, PA, 2010.
21. 21. Yildirim, Y., Solaimanian, M. and Kennedy. 2000. Mixing and compaction temperatures for hot mix asphalt concrete", Center for Transportation Research, Austin, USA, Rep. 1250-5.
22. 22. Yildirim, Y., Ideker, J., & Hazlett, D. 2006. Evaluation of viscosity values for mixing and compaction temperatures. Journal of materials in civil engineering; 18(4): 545-553.
23. 23. Reinke, G. “Determination of Mixing and Compaction Temperature of PG Binders Using a Steady Shear Flow Test,” presentation made to the Superpave Binder Expert Task Group,https://engineering.purdue.edu/~spave/old/Technical%20Info/Meetings/Binder%20ETG%20Sept%2003%20Las%20Vegas,%20NV/Reinke_MIX%20AND%20COMPACTINO%20INFO%20FOR%20ETG%209-15-03.pdf.September 2003