Polymer modified asphalt (PMA) mixtures are commonly employed in flexible pavement and overlays with large traffic volumes. In contrast, a number of laboratory and field tests have been conducted to evaluate the performance of PMA with that of conventional hot mix asphalt (HMA) mixtures. This paper presents an overview of the various polymers utilised in asphalt mixtures and their effects on the rheological, morphological, physical, and mechanical properties of polymer-modified asphalt binders. According to a review of the relevant literature, a good modifier affects the failure characteristics of the binder, allowing it to withstand greater stresses and strains before failing. In asphalt pavement, adding polymers to asphalt binders to improve their qualities has a long history. Due to polymers' limited solubility, polymer-modified asphalt binders may have several disadvantages. In addition, a brief description of the general approach to mixing polymers is provided. A summary of the benefits and drawbacks of the most common polymers used to alter asphalt binders Styrene-butadiene-styrene (SBS), Styrene-butadiene–rubber (SBR), Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET), Polypropylene (PP), Polyvinyl Chloride(PVC) etc. are illusrated. The paper continues with a discussion of the lasting effects of PMAs on asphalt pavement. To evaluate the economic and environmental impacts, a life cycle assessment (LCA) is required.

This paper evaluates the mechanical properties of porous asphalt (PA) with nanosilica (NS) modified binder in terms of its Abrasion Loss, Binder Draindown, Resilient Modulus and Moisture Susceptibility. These tests are essential to evaluate the performance of NS-PA towards the resistance of moisture induced damage, external loads, abrasion and interlocking structure of PA. Due to porous nature of PA, it is expose to moisture damage and binder draindown. Besides that, raveling is another major problem that closely related to PA. Thus, nanotechnology was promoted in this study in order to enhance the performance of PA. Six different percentages of nanosilica were mixed with PEN 60-70 type of binder in this study. Then, all these blended modified binder were used to prepare PA samples using Marshall Mix Design Method. Nanoparticle used in this study was Nanosilica with the average size of 10 to 15 nanometer. Binder Draindown Test was done using a metal basket with 3mm perforation. Then, abrasion loss value was evaluated using Los Angeles Abrasion Machine without steel ball. In accordance to Public Work Department of Malaysia Specification (JKR/SPJ/2008), it is stated that binder draindown for PA should not be more than 0.3% of total weight of sample, while abrasion loss should not be more than 15% also by weight of total sample. The results for Cantabro Loss Test and Binder Draindown Test indicated that 4% NS was the effective amount of NS to reduce the abrasion loss and binder drained of NS-PA. The maximum resilient modulus value for NS-PA was 4362 MPa while TSR value 91% (2% NS). Meanwhile, for conventional PA (0% NS), resilient modulus value was only 3036 MPa and TSR value 74%. From both tests were also concluded that the optimum amount of NS required for PA to archieved both value was 2%. It can be concluded that with proper concentration, the existence of NS is capable to enhance the physical and rheological properties of asphalt binder and at the same time it dispersed well in asphalt binder. Thus, the performance of PA with NS modified binder is also enhanced.

The influence of coconut shells (CS) and coconut fibres (CF) on the stability and rutting resistance of porous asphalt mixture is examined. Four different percentage replacement of CS and three different of CF as additives were investigate. CS and CF were put through chemical treatment by soaking them in 5wt% of Sodium Hydroxide (NaOH) solution before being involved in the mixture. Marshall Stability and asphalt pavement analyzer are performed to evaluate the Stability and rutting resistance of porous asphalt mixture. It was found that there appears to be an optimum CS replacement level of 10% and 0.3% CS during which the stability and rutting resistance increase significantly.

MATEC Web of Conferences, open access proceedings in Materials science, Engineering and Chemistry

Nanomaterials are emerging as one of the methods to improve the pavement industry. Due to that, this study explores the influence of nano TiO₂ modified binder and mixture with 60/70 grade bitumen. The first stage discovers the physical properties of bitumen by undergoing penetration and softening point tests. Then, the nano TiO₂ modified binder is evaluated in terms of its morphological and chemical properties. To verify the modified binder design, the mechanical performance of stone mastic asphalt (SMA) is assessed in terms of volumetric properties. From the results, 5 nano TiO₂ modified binder shows significant improvement in terms of penetration and softening point. The results also show that the 3 nano TiO₂ modified binder contributes the highest improvement in terms of its chemical properties and the morphological properties. Based on the morphological properties evaluation, FTIR and XRD observed a sharp peak of nano TiO₂ while the bitumen containing nano TiO₂ is well distributed when SEM-EDX was applied. In addition, the volumetric properties of SMA also significantly improve with the addition of nano TiO₂. It can be said that the addition of nano TiO₂ is able to enhance the overall properties of bitumen.