Thermomechanical Properties of Several Polymer Modified Asphalts

Abstract

Costly deterioration of many roads and highways paved with asphalt generates a growing interest in polymer modified asphalts (PMA). Although asphalt represents only a fraction of asphalt paving mix, it is believed that it has a significant effect on the thermomechanical properties of asphalt pavements. Currently there is no consensus on the type of tests and specifications for polymer modified asphalts; however, it is clear that such specifications should be based on rheological testing of these systems. As a viscoelastic material asphalt is usually characterized by its dynamic material functions. An advantage of the use of modified loss tangent function in PMA systems is discussed in this contribution. Three polymer modifiers (SBS, EVA and EGA) commonly used in the asphalt paving industry were blended with base asphalt and various relaxations in the base, and its blends are studied here.

Keywords

• polymer modified asphalt
• relaxation
• dynamic material functions
• characterization