Engineering Properties of SMA Mixtures/Polymer/RGP Blends

Abstract

In this research, the efficiency of Recycled Glass Powder (<em>RGP</em>) is evaluated for improvement of polymer-modified bitumen and asphalt mixture performance. An extensive laboratory programm was undertaken for polymer-modified bitumen including Crumb Rubber (<em>CR</em>), Styrene Butadiene Styrene (<em>SBS</em>) and Styrene Butadiene Rubber (<em>SBR</em>). Rheological and mechanical properties of modified bitumen samples such as penetration index (PI), and also asphalt mixture performance indices including Marshall stability, indirect tensile strength (ITS), compressive strength and indirect tensile stiffness modulus (ITSM) were investigated. The results showed that application of <em>RGP</em>-<em>CR</em> modifier had not only positive impact on the efficiency of bitumen and asphalt, but also made more improvement in their engineering properties. Moreover, modification using 5% <em>CR</em> and 5% <em>RGP</em> in asphalt mixtures resulted in the best overall performance. Moreover, from environmental point of view, application of <em>RGP</em> in asphalt mixtures is considered to be beneficial since it prevents accumulation of waste glass in the natural environment.