Crumb rubber modification for enhanced rutting resistance in asphalt mixtures

Abstract

This study investigated the performance of rubberized asphalt mixtures through Marshall and wheel track tests. The optimal binder content for rubberized asphalt specimens containing 6 and 8% rubber was determined to be 4.9 and 5%, respectively, while the control asphalt required 4.6% binder content. The results indicate that modifying the binder with crumb rubber improves the properties of the asphalt mixture. The wheel track tests show that the rubberized asphalt samples have far shallower ruts than the control samples, demonstrating successful protection against long-term distortion. Rubberized asphalt is more resistant to rutting at higher temperatures, with lower sustained strain rates and shallower ruts. Adding crumb rubber enhances the stiffness and viscosity of the asphalt binder, contributing to the improved rutting resistance of the rubberized asphalt mixtures. This study emphasized the potential of rubberized asphalt as a sustainable solution for enhancing pavement durability and longevity. The findings highlight the benefits of using rubberized asphalt in pavement engineering and provide valuable insights for optimizing binder content and improving performance. Incorporating crumb rubber in asphalt mixtures can reduce rutting and enhance the overall sustainability of pavement surfaces.

Keywords

• rubberized asphalt
• rut depth, sustainable pavement solutions
• permanent deformation
• asphalt mixtures
• moisture susceptibility