A new look at rubber-modified asphalt binders

The high-temperature rheological characteristics and the low-temperature fracture properties of asphalt binders containing crumb and devulcanized rubber waste have been investigated. Asphalt binders containing crumb rubber of different mesh sizes, with and without surface modification, and a commercially available binder containing devulcanized rubber, were tested and compared with an unmodified asphalt and three commercially available polymer-modified binders. Interfacial modification of asphalt systems containing crumb rubber was found to give binders that were far superior in their low-temperature performance to commercially available products. The data suggest that a crack-pinning or crack-blunting mechanism is responsible for the increase in toughness found in these systems. A commercially available binder containing devulcanized rubber showed reasonably good high-temperature properties; however, its low-temperature fracture performance was disappointing in that it was not significantly better than that of unmodified asphalt binders.     

Dynamic mechanical characterization of asphalt concrete mixes with modified asphalt binders

The primary objective of this work is to characterize and compare the dynamic mechanical behavior of asphalt concrete mixes with styrene butadiene styrene (SBS) polymer and crumb rubber modified asphalt binders with the behavior of mixes with unmodified viscosity grade asphalt binders. Asphalt binders are characterized for their physical and rheological properties. Simple performance tests like dynamic modulus, dynamic and static creep tests are carried out at varying temperatures and time. Dynamic modulus master curves constructed using numerical optimization technique is used to explain the time and temperature dependency of modified and unmodified asphalt binder mixes. Creep parameters estimated through regression analysis explained the permanent deformation characteristics of asphalt concrete mixes. From the dynamic mechanical characterization studies, it is found that asphalt concrete mixes with SBS polymer modified asphalt binder showed significantly higher values of dynamic modulus and reduced rate of deformation at higher temperatures when compared to asphalt concrete mixes with crumb rubber and unmodified asphalt binders. From the concept of energy dissipation, it is found that SBS polymer modification substantially reduces the energy loss at higher temperatures. Multi-factorial analysis of variance carried out using generalized liner model showed that temperature, frequency and asphalt binder type significant influences the mechanical response of asphalt concrete mixes. The mechanical response of SBS polymer modified asphalt binders are significantly correlated with the rutting resistance of asphalt concrete mixes.     

Rheological characterisation of modified binders at mixing and compaction temperature

The mixing temperature for binders is normally chosen by the pavement engineer based on a specific ‘viscosity’ required during hot mix asphalt production. Majority of the unmodified binders exhibit Newtonian behaviour at the mixing temperature and hence the determination of the same is straight-forward. However, when modified binders are used, experiments using a rotational viscometer indicate that the binder exhibits viscoelastic non-Newtonian fluid characteristic even at very high temperature. Consequently, the ‘viscosity’ varies with time and the location where it is measured, and hence is not a unique property of the material. In this work, a thermodynamically consistent, frame-invariant viscoelastic non-Newtonian fluid model was developed to characterise the rheological properties of the binders tested in a rotational viscometer. In the investigation reported here, two types of modified binders, polymer and crumb rubber, and one unmodified binder were used. These binders were subjected to steady and variable shear rate experiments in a rotational viscometer. The viscoelastic non-Newtonian model developed was able to predict reasonably the response of binders subjected to various protocols. In addition, bituminous mixtures were fabricated at different mixing and compaction temperatures using these binders, and the evolution of volumetric properties was investigated. The experimental investigation on mixtures showed that for identical aggregate gradation, the apparent viscosity of the binders played a critical role on the final volumetric properties obtained.     

Laboratory investigation of utilizing high percentage of RAP in rubberized asphalt mixture

The utilization of crumb rubber and reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP) has proven to be economical, environmentally sound and effective in increasing the performance properties of the asphalt mixtures. The objective of this research was to investigate the laboratory engineering behavior characteristics of the rubberized asphalt binders and mixtures made with PG 64-22 and a softer binder (PG 52-28) containing a high percentage of RAP (30%). Some of the testing used for this research included viscosity, dynamic shear rheometer (DSR), bending beam rheometer (BBR), indirect tensile strength (ITS), resilient modulus, and fatigue life evaluations. The experimental design included the use of two aggregate and RAP sources, two virgin binder grades (PG 64-22 and PG 52-28), two types of crumb rubber (ambient and cryogenic), and four rubber contents (0%, 5%, 10%, and 15%). The results indicated that: (1) the crumb rubber improved the aging resistance of the aged binder and prolonged the fatigue life of the mixtures containing 0% RAP, in addition, results indicated a decrease of ITS and resilient modulus values was found as the rubber content increased, regardless of rubber type; (2) the utilization of softer binder decreased the influence of aged binder and decreased the resilient modulus values of the mixtures. In most cases, regardless of rubber types, the rubberized mixtures containing 30% RAP made with PG 52-28 binder did not show a significant increase in fatigue life with those made with PG 64-22 binder.     

Experimental investigation of bituminous plug expansion joint materials containing high content of crumb rubber powder and granules

Bituminous plug expansion joint materials containing high content of crumb rubber powder and granules were investigated. 20 wt% crumb rubber powder was added into SBS modified bitumen to produce a blended binder. Rheological test, which was done by a dynamic shear rheometer (DRS), demonstrated that this blended binder exhibited good performance at high and low temperatures. The replacement of part of mineral aggregates by rubber granules allowed preparing more flexible joint materials. Combining the data obtained from wheel-tracking rutting test and three-point bending test, it was found that 9.2 vol% rubber granule was the critical content for rutting resistance at high temperature and flexibility at low temperature. It was concluded that bituminous plug expansion joint materials containing high content of crumb rubber powder and granules performed well to deal with thermal and traffic loads.     

Kerosene resistance of asphalt binders modified with crumb rubber: solubility and rheological aspects

Due to the abandonment of coal-tar, the development of special asphalt binders is required to obtain flexible pavement with enhanced fuel resistance for use in airport systems, filling stations and industrial areas where the risk of fuel spilling exists. Considering that recent studies showed that the solubility of a bitumen in jet fuel A-1 can be significantly reduced through its modification with an appropriate polymer, the effect of crumb rubber modifier (CRM) on the fuel resistance of bitumen was investigated in this work. A simple procedure to evaluate the solubility of bitumen in kerosene was developed and used to compare the properties of CRM-based binders with those of the starting base bitumen. The obtained results showed that CRM significantly reduces the bitumen solubility in jet fuel A-1 and that complex interactions, including swelling and kerosene absorption, occur. The rheological properties of fuel processed samples were then investigated in order to outline the effects of kerosene on the binder.     

Black curves and creep behaviour of crumb rubber modified binders containing warm mix asphalt additives

Warm mix asphalt (WMA) is a new research topic in the field of road pavement materials. This technology allows lower energy consumption and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by reducing compaction and placement temperatures of the asphalt mixtures. However, this technology is still under study, and the influence of the WMA additives has yet to be investigated thoroughly and clearly identified, especially in the case of crumb rubber modified (CRM) binders.In order to study the effect that different types and quantities of organic waxes have on the high and intermediate temperature properties of 15 % and 20 % CRM binders, a dynamic shear rheometer (DSR) was used. Using Black diagrams, the rheological behaviour of the binders for the defined range of test temperature and frequency are summarised in a single diagram. In this way, a preliminary evaluation of the rheological behaviour in the extended domain of time and temperature can be attained as well as the effectiveness of the time–temperature superposition principle (TTSP) on the materials under study. Creep tests were also performed in order to evaluate the differences regarding mechanical response due to the addition of rubber and WMA additives, and particularly the ability to recover the strain at high temperatures.The results of this study reveal that these binders do not conform to the Time Temperature Superposition Principle (TTSP) and their rheological behaviour is strongly affected by the interaction of waxes and bituminous matrix and thus generally exhibited a higher elasticity compared to the corresponding control binder. The creep test results carried out proved the enhancement of elasticity and the resistance to permanent deformation produced by the addition of waxes. The WMA additives significantly lower the maximum deformation when compared to the control binders and slightly increased their elastic recovery.     

Time dependent viscoelastic rheological response of pure,modified and synthetic bituminous binders

Bitumen is a viscoelastic material that exhibits both elastic and viscous components of response and displays both a temperature and time dependent relationship between applied stresses and resultant strains. In addition, as bitumen is responsible for the viscoelastic behaviour of all bituminous materials, it plays a dominant role in defining many of the aspects of asphalt road performance, such as strength and stiffness, permanent deformation and cracking. Although conventional bituminous materials perform satisfactorily in most highway pavement applications, there are situations that require the modification of the binder to enhance the properties of existing asphalt material. The best known form of modification is by means of polymer modification, traditionally used to improve the temperature and time susceptibility of bitumen. Tyre rubber modification is another form using recycled crumb tyre rubber to alter the properties of conventional bitumen. In addition, alternative binders (synthetic polymeric binders as well as renewable, environmental-friendly bio-binders) have entered the bitumen market over the last few years due to concerns over the continued availability of bitumen from current crudes and refinery processes. This paper provides a detailed rheological assessment, under both temperature and time regimes, of a range of conventional, modified and alternative binders in terms of the materials dynamic (oscillatory) viscoelastic response. The rheological results show the improved viscoelastic properties of polymer- and rubber-modified binders in terms of increased complex shear modulus and elastic response, particularly at high temperatures and low frequencies. The synthetic binders were found to demonstrate complex rheological behaviour relative to that seen for conventional bituminous binders.     

Effect of CR and FT-paraffin versus SBS modification in terms of conventional and rheological properties

In this study, the rheological and conventional properties of binders prepared with crumb rubber (CR) and FT-paraffin were compared to styrene-butadiene-styrene (SBS)-modified binders’ properties. The objective of this study was to determine which modified binders in different combinations of the CR and the FT-paraffin exhibited better performance than the SBS-modified binders, in terms of conventional and rheological properties. Results showed that the additives exhibited different performances for different types of tests. Many of the combinations including the common usage of the CR and the FT-paraffin performed better at high temperature than the SBS modification. Overall, the test results show that the binders prepared by 6% CR with 3 and 4% FT-paraffin and those prepared with 8% CR with 3% FT-paraffin were better binders than the 4% SBS-modified binder, in terms of low and high temperature properties.     

复合胶粉改性沥青的微观结构与流变特性

在基质沥青中加入18%的废胎橡胶粉和2%的SBS,通过湿法得到复合胶粉改性沥青（CCRMA）。采用扫描电镜（SEM）和动态力学的方法（DSR）研究了改性沥青的微观结构和较宽温度范围的流变性能;通过对复数模量主曲线的拟合,在更宽频率范围内研究该沥青的流变特性。结果表明,胶粉颗粒的表面网状结构可很好地吸附沥青,改性后的沥青...     

Ageing in modified bitumen using FTIR spectroscopy

Modified binders exhibit complex rheological behaviour due to the interaction of the modifiers with the base binder and the manner in which they age during field applications. Quantification of the interaction and the ageing of such modified binders is currently a necessity. In this investigation, three modified binders (elastomer, plastomer, and crumb rubber) and the base bitumen were subjected to different ageing conditions and the evolution of the chemical functionalities during ageing were tracked using FTIR spectroscopy. Analysis of the spectra of modified binders immediately after the production process showed that while the elastomer modified binders exhibited physical interaction, the plastomer and crumb rubber modified binders exhibited physical and chemical interactions. During ageing, there was no subsequent evolution of the interactions and one could only see chemical functionalities related to oxidation. Analysis of the spectra showed that the carbonyl and sulphoxide exhibit identical trends whereas aliphaticity and aromaticity deviate drastically.     

Development of mechanomutable asphalt binders for the construction of smart pavements

A new generation of asphalt binders with mecanomutable properties has been developed, with the aim of obtaining smart materials able to adapt their mechanical performance to the real changing load conditions that occur during their service life. These materials are composed of a bituminous matrix that has been modified with magnetic particles that are able to change the mechanical behavior of the binder when they are activated by a magnetic field. This study examines the main variables that govern the mechanical behavior of these materials. The mechanomutable performance of different binders has been demonstrated under various concentrations of magnetic particles. In particular, these binders could increase their stiffness and perform elastically when they are activated by a magnetic field (even at high temperatures), which, once removed, enables the initial properties of the binders to be recovered. The changes induced in the properties of the binder depend on the amount of magnetic particles, the intensity of the magnetic field, and the type of bituminous matrix. The findings open up the possibility of a wide field of applications for its implementation in smart infrastructures, with special interest in the construction, rehabilitation, and maintenance of asphalt pavements.     

TerminalBlend废胶粉-纳米SiO_2改性沥青粘温关系及低温韧性

为评价废胶粉-纳米复合改性沥青的高温抗变形性、流变特性及低温韧性,制备了湿法Terminal Blend胶粉-纳米SiO_2复合改性沥青,并借助旋转粘度、针入度、软化点、5℃和15℃延度试验进行了性能表征,还基于实测表观粘度拟合了复合改性沥青粘度-温度关系。结果表明:掺加纳米SiO_2后,复合改性沥青针入度减小,软化点升高,高温抗变形性能得到改善,且纳米SiO_2掺量越大,改善越显著;纳米SiO_2掺量4%时5℃延度比未掺前提高约37.5%。此外,复合改性沥青高温粘度较基质沥青和未纳米改性时有所增加,但135℃粘度不超过1500cP,施工和易性良好;粘度数据拟合还表明在135~200℃温度域内,复合改性沥青粘温关系符合较好的指数关系。     

Feasible incorporation of devulcanized rubber waste in virgin natural rubber

Devulcanized rubber waste produced from end-of-life passenger tyres by continuous shear flow stage control reaction technology was used both as filler and as part of rubber in a natural rubber matrix to develop the use of the rubber compound and lower the cost. The measurements of cure characteristics, swelling behaviour, crosslink density and dynamic and mechanical properties were carried out in our laboratory. In the present study it was found that using devulcanized rubber as part of rubber yields much better properties than using it as filler. Up to 15 phr devulcanized rubber used as filler and up to as much as 50 phr devulcanized rubber used as part of rubber can be incorporated in a new product without any noteworthy deterioration in performance arising.     

胶粉加工参数对活化胶粉/丁苯橡胶复合改性沥青性能的影响

为了研究胶粉加工参数对活化胶粉/丁苯橡胶(SBR)复合改性沥青性能的影响,得到胶粉的最佳加工参数,采用废食用油来活化胶粉,选取不同掺配比例(胶粉质量∶废食用油质量)、加热温度、加热时间制备活化胶粉,复配SBR制备复合改性沥青。通过沥青常规性能试验、旋转薄膜加热试验(RTFOT),对复合改性沥青的高温性能、低温性能、黏度、存储稳定性和抗老化性能进行分析研究。结果表明:胶粉加工参数对复合改性沥青的综合性能影响显著;胶粉的最佳加工参数建议为掺配比例1∶1、加热温度160℃、加热时间90min;复合改性沥青的常规性能与90^#基质沥青相比提升显著且优于SBR、活化胶粉改性沥青。     

Analysis of the influence of binder properties on the mechanical response of bituminous mixtures

Asphalt mixtures are composed by a mass of aggregates (more than 90% of their total weight), which are bonded by a bituminous binder. Despite the fact that the binder is not the main component of these materials (around 5% of their total weight), it exerts a high influence on their mechanical response. In this sense, the service life of asphalt pavements will directly depend on the type of binder used, and thus an adequate choice is crucial to construct more durable roads. Because of this fact, it is necessary to know the characteristics of the bitumen in order to reduce the impact of different distresses that appear on roads. For this purpose, this paper studies the influence of the binder properties in the appearance of the main distresses that affect asphalt pavements around the world (stripping, fatigue cracking and plastic deformations). Five bitumens with different properties have been analysed during this research using diverse binder (UCL, multiple stress creep and recovery test and dynamic shear rheometer time sweep) and mixture (water sensitivity, wheel tracking and UGR-FACT) tests. The results obtained show that the properties of the binder influence the long-term performance of bituminous mixtures. In this sense, it can be said that flexible binders which are able to recover plastic deformations could extend the service life of the pavements.     

GFRP筋橡胶集料混凝土梁受弯性能

为提高纤维增强聚合物复合材料(FRP)筋混凝土梁抗裂性能,改善其脆性破坏特征,将玻璃纤维增强聚合物复合材料(GFRP)筋与橡胶集料混凝土共同应用于梁构件中。采用ABAQUS对GFRP筋橡胶集料混凝土梁的受弯性能进行有限元模拟及参数分析,探究了橡胶掺量、GFRP筋配筋率、混凝土强度等级及截面高度对梁受弯性能的影响。结果表明:增加混凝土中橡胶颗粒的掺量可提高梁的开裂荷载,当橡胶掺量为15%时,开裂荷载提高了29%;增加配筋率可提高梁的开裂荷载和承载力,当受拉筋直径由10 mm增加至18 mm时,橡胶掺量为10%的GFRP筋橡胶混凝土梁开裂荷载提高了约15%,承载力提高了约85%,但配筋率增加至一定数值后,其影响不再明显;提高橡胶混凝土强度等级,可提高梁的开裂荷载及承载力,当橡胶混凝土强度等级由C25提高至C40时,开裂荷载提了高约53.7%,承载力提高了约23%;为更好地满足正常使用极限状态,GFRP筋橡胶混凝土梁的截面高度宜适当增加。      

The influence of sizing conditions on bending properties of continuous glass fiber reinforced polypropylene composites

In this study, the interphase construction by using binding agents was proposed in continuous glass fiber reinforced polypropylene composites. Two types of binding agents modified with maleic anhydride, i.e. low- and high-molecular-weight PP binders were employed. Amino silane coupling agent was also used for the sizing of the glass fibers. In the first step, the sizing conditions with non-binding, low- and high-molecular-weight PP binders were compared for bending properties. According to the near infra-red (NIR) analysis of the sized glass fibers, the glass fiber finished with the low-molecular-weight PP binders greatly indicated the existence of the amide bond between the PP binder and the silane coupling agent. This result implies that the matrix PP chain tends to entwine with the PP binder chain. As a consequence, low-molecular-weight PP binder specimens gave the highest bending strength. Furthermore, the concentration ratio of the low-molecular-weight PP binder was varied with three steps. Matrix PP modified with maleic anhydride was also used in order to investigate the effect of matrix modification on bending properties. The interphase structure formed by a binder agent and a silane coupling agent in the continuous glass fiber reinforced polypropylene composites was discussed in detail.     

Characteristics of two-component epoxy modified bitumen

Coal tar bearing emulsions were used in the Netherlands as binder in anti-skid surfaces for runways because of their perfect adhesion and fuel resistance properties. They are however toxic and will not be allowed anymore after 2010. Therefore alternatives need to be developed. As one of the alternatives, two types of two-component epoxy modified bitumen have been investigated by means of direct tensile tests (DTT), relaxation tests (RT) and dynamic shear rheometer (DSR) tests. The effect of the curing temperature on the strength development of the epoxy modified bitumen was tested. The results show that the tensile strength increases with increasing curing time and temperature. DTT and RT results indicate that this new epoxy modified bitumen has a much higher tensile strength, cures faster than a bitumen emulsion as a binder. Furthermore, it shows a good stress relaxation even at lower temperatures. The curing speed and the ultimate tensile strength after full curing can be easily adjusted. The DSR results show that the complex modulus of this epoxy modified binder is less susceptible to changes in temperature. The results also suggest that this epoxy modified bitumen has better anti-crack properties at lower temperature and less permanent deformation than bituminous binders at higher temperatures. All these results shows that this type of two-component epoxy modified bitumen can be promising as a binder in anti-skid layers.     

Fresh properties of self-compacting rubberized concrete incorporated with fly ash

Solid waste management is one of the major environmental concerns in all over the world. High amounts of waste tires are generated each year and utilization of this waste is a big problem from the aspects of disposal, environmental pollution, and health hazards. In the production of self-compacting concrete, the incorporation of waste tires as partial replacement of aggregates is very limited. However, the use of waste tires might join the characteristics of self-compacting concrete (high flowability, high mechanical strength, low porosity, etc.) with the tough behavior of the rubber phase, thus leading to be a building material with more versatile performances. Thus, in this study, the usability of untreated crumb rubber as a partial substitute of fine aggregates with and without fly ash in the application of self-compacting concretes was investigated experimentally. For this purpose, a water–cementitious material ratio (0.35), four designated crumb rubber contents (0, 5, 15, and 25% by fine aggregate volume), and four fly ash content (0, 20, 40, and 60%) were considered as experimental parameters. Test results indicated that use of crumb rubber (CR) without fly ash (FA) aggravated the fresh properties of self-compacting rubberized concretes (SCRC) (slump flow diameter, T₅₀ slump flow time, V-funnel flow time, L-box height ratio, initial and final setting times, and viscosity). However, the use of CR with FA amended the fresh properties of SCRC.