Utilization of Nano Materials and Polymer Additive in Enhancing Bitumen and Asphalt Mixtures Characteristics

Abstract

In order to improve the performance of asphalt mixture, the virgin asphalt binder needs to be modified with suitable modifiers. Nowadays, pavement technologist and researchers had put their interests on nanotechnology and they found that polymeric nanocomposites have shown its effectiveness through the modification of virgin asphalt binder with a certain portion of nanomaterials. In this paper, two different nano materials (nano clay (NC) and nano silica (NS)) and one polymer additive (styrene- butadiene- styrene (SBS)) were used with asphalt binder 60/70. The addition content of nano materials was (1%, 2% and 3%) blended with 5% SBS by weight of the base bitumen binder. The modified binder was screened and selected according to conventional performance indicators of asphalt binder, including penetration and softening point test. The results showed that the nano silica and nano clay with  SBS decreased the penetration and increased the softening point. Hot mix asphalt (HMA) were prepared and investigated by Marshall test as well as wheel tracking test. The results showed an improvement in the stability, flow and Marshall quotient which is an indication of resistance against permanent deformation of modified asphaltic mixtures. Morover, the lowest rutting depth achieved at adding (3%NC+5%SBS).