Highly modified asphalt (HiMA) binders containing up to 9% SBS have been recently used to increase hot-mix asphalt (HMA) performance. In the present study, the improved mechanical behaviour of HiMA was exploited to counterbalance the brittleness of reclaimed asphalt (RA). Plant-produced HMA mixes with HiMA and 20% or 40% RA were compared with reference mixes containing ordinary polymer-modified bitumen (4% SBS) and 0% or 20% RA. The experimental program included laboratory tests on shear gyratory compacted specimens to evaluate air voids content, stiffness modulus at 20 ℃, indirect tensile strength at 25 ℃ and fatigue behaviour at 20 ℃. The results showed that the use of HiMA bitumen enabled an increase in RA content of 20% without significantly affecting the stiffness and fatigue resistance of the mixtures.
Use of High Polymer-Modified Bitumen in Mixtures Containing Reclaimed Asphalt: A Field Application
Bocci E.
Writing – Original Draft Preparation
;Marchegiani G.Investigation
;
2026-01-01
Abstract
Highly modified asphalt (HiMA) binders containing up to 9% SBS have been recently used to increase hot-mix asphalt (HMA) performance. In the present study, the improved mechanical behaviour of HiMA was exploited to counterbalance the brittleness of reclaimed asphalt (RA). Plant-produced HMA mixes with HiMA and 20% or 40% RA were compared with reference mixes containing ordinary polymer-modified bitumen (4% SBS) and 0% or 20% RA. The experimental program included laboratory tests on shear gyratory compacted specimens to evaluate air voids content, stiffness modulus at 20 ℃, indirect tensile strength at 25 ℃ and fatigue behaviour at 20 ℃. The results showed that the use of HiMA bitumen enabled an increase in RA content of 20% without significantly affecting the stiffness and fatigue resistance of the mixtures.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
