PHYSICO-RHEOLOGICAL CHARACTERIZATION OF POLYMER MODIFIED BITUMEN

• E.O. OLUKANNI

  Federal University of Technology, Akure, Nigeria

• O.J. OYEDEPO

  Federal University of Technology, Akure, Nigeria

The demand for better performing roads has encouraged the development of alternative materials to modify asphalt binders. This research carried out a physico-rheological characterization of polymer-modified bitumen. Styrene-butadiene-styrene (SBS), Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) and Ethylene-vinyl Acetate (EVA) were used to partially replace bitumen in proportion of 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, and 50%. The physical characterization was done by determining the Penetration Index (PI) of bitumen and polymer modified bitumen (PMB) according to Van Der Poel nomograph. Rheological properties of bitumen and PMB were investigated by performing a dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) in accordance with ASTM D 7175-15. The PI result indicated that the PI of PET modified bitumen ranged between 0.07 and 2.38, SBS modified bitumen has PI values that ranged between 0.61 to 3.08 and EVA modified bitumen is characterized with PI values that ranged between 0.78 and 3.11. The DMA of bitumen and PMB showed that PMB has a very high complex modulus especially PET modified bitumen with the highest complex modulus of 5310 kPa at 30% partial replacement; this is an indication of  high resistance to thermal and plastic deformation which is as a result of the formation of a tough, rigid, three-dimensional network. It can thus be concluded that PET, SBS and EVA are good modifiers of bitumen as they are capable of increasing specific properties of bitumen.

• pdf

Copyright

With the submission of a manuscript, the corresponding author confirms that the manuscript is not under consideration by another journal. With the acceptance of a manuscript, the Journal reserves the exclusive right of publication and dissemination of the information contained in the article. The veracity of the paper and all the claims therein is solely the opinion of the authors not the journal.