Review on laboratory preparation processes of polymer modified asphalt binder

Several previous studies have documented the progress in polymer modified asphalt binder with respect to materials'types and properties.However,limited or no effort was made to document findings on the laboratory preparation practices of polymer modified asphalt binder.Full and clear disclosure of asphalt blend preparation method is necessary for research continuity,reproducibility,and accurate adaptation by future studies for analogy and reliable conclusions.The laboratory preparation processes of various modified asphalt binders have been reviewed in this study.Factors affecting the optimal mixing of asphalt-polymer blends were summarized.The optimal mixing conditions associated with different asphalt modifiers were documented.Gap in the literature on the current practice for the preparation and reporting of various modified asphalt binder was discussed.Modifiers include styrene butadiene styrene(SBS),polyethylene(PE),waste tire rubber or crumb rubber(CR),ethylene vinyl acetate(EVA),sulfur,polyphosphoric acid(PPA),epoxy,polyurethane,nano-materials,etc.Currently,there is lack of modern innovative approached in the preparation of modified asphalt towards better performance.There is no clear standardized definition of term associated with asphalt binder preparation process.Given the limited and common types of polymers utilized for the modification of asphalt binder,it is possible to standardize the mixing procedure for several polymers.Doing so could ease research continuity and facilitates accurate comparison of new studies with earlier ones.

Refinement and estimation of asphalt flow number using partial load history

The effect of tertiary flow length on asphalt concrete(AC) flow number(FN) has been studied in this paper. The standard FN test(AASHTO T378) designated by American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials(AASHTO) is currently among the widely adopted test for assessing the rutting performance of AC mixtures. The standard adopts the Fracken model(FM) for fitting the permanent deformation curve(PDC), prior to FN estimation. The FN was observed to vary as tertiary flow progresses. The FM, along with other PDC models(MFM-1 and MFM-2) obtained by modifying the FM, was utilized to analyze and minimized this variation. Variation of FN resulted because of mathematization of the PDC data. Instead of representing the actual initiating point of permanent shear deformation of the strain data, estimated values of FN were observed to indicate the inflection points of the fitted parent curve. As per standard FN range suggested by AASHTO T378, the observed variation in FN leads to the situation, where a single asphalt mix specimen can be regarded as appropriate for two different traffic levels, depending on the tertiary flow point at which the test is terminated. Supplementary steps in the FN estimation methods were proposed for refinement of FN values. For the refinement and further standardization of FN value and FN test respectively, FN:T(flow number to test duration ratio) has been recognized as the key and most simple solution. Two potential options for employing FN:T in the estimation of FN have also been highlighted. Several important correlations have been reported herein as well. Comparatively, MFM-1 was found to be more robust in FN:T curve utilization than MFM-2 and FM.