Modified asphalt mixtures for heavy duty pavement wearing layers

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.