Modification of asphalt mixture allows a reasonable solution for heavy duty pavement wearing layer.
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Only polymer modified bitumen should be used for asphalt modification.
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Bitumen softening point of 80 °C and above should be used for heavy duty pavement wearing layer.
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Modified AC mixture complied with fatigue requirements and showed the highest rut resistance.
Abstract
Asphalt pavements perform in a wide range of temperatures, especially in Eastern European countries, where the daily mean temperature of asphalt layers varies from −18 °C during winter to 47 °C during summer or even higher under more severe climatic conditions. Low temperatures preclude the use of high-stiffness binders because of their high susceptibility to thermal cracking. High temperatures during summer and a heavy static load contribution cause rutting, slippage, and high plastic deformation of heavy duty asphalt pavements. Many research programs on asphalt wearing layers affected by long-lasting high stress have been initiated to address this problem. Our theoretical analysis led to a plan and subsequent detailed laboratory research of modified AC 11 VS and SMA 11 S asphalt mixtures. We analyzed 11 different bitumens and the modification of the asphalt mixture aggregate distribution. The experimental results show extremely good rutting performance of the modified asphalt mixtures.