| Asphalt pavements fail due to variety of reasons ranging from climatic changes to degradation of material properties. Polymer modification of asphalt has been evaluated as a method to enhance pavement performance. The interfacial adhesion between asphalt binder and aggregate and its effect on the final properties of asphalt concrete is the focus of this research.; Five polymers, Styrene Butadiene Styrene (SBS), Styrene Ethylene Butylene Styrene (SEBS), Styrene Butadiene Rubber (SBR), Elvaloy AM and Crumb Rubber were used to modify two viscosity graded asphalt binders, AC5 and AC10. The microstructure, morphology, failure mechanisms and locus of failure were identified in polymer modified asphalt binder and concrete. Fracture toughness and lap-shear adhesive strength of asphalt concrete were measured. Asphalt binder was found to have an intrinsic network microstructure which plays a role in fracture process. Polymer modification was found to enhance binder-aggregate adhesion, engineering properties and resistance to aging in asphalt concrete. |
