Evaluation of the performance of rubber-modified bitumen

Abstract

The paper discusses the effect of the amount and particle size of rubber on the properties of rubber-modified
bitumen. Therefore, rubber-modified bitumen with rubber contents of 10, 15 and 20 % and a variation of the
particle size from small (0.4 mm) to middle (0.8 mm) and up to big (1.0 mm) were prepared in laboratory by using
a paving bitumen 50/70 as reference bitumen. Additionally, a polymer-modified bitumen (PmB 25/55-55), which
is commonly used in asphalt wearing and binder courses, was involved in the investigations to verify the
modification states. Different laboratory tests were conducted to evaluate the influence of the selected rubber
particles. At first, the impact of the rubber modifications on conventional bitumen tests are presented. Furthermore,
DSR tests were conducted to determine performance related bitumen properties. DSR results have also been used
to determine the rutting susceptibility. In addition, the binders were rated to their fatigue damage resistance by
applying repeated load cycles using the DSR test device as well. Following, the paper gives recommendations in
terms of the use of rubber-modified binders for asphalt pavements.