Authors:
Keith Nare; Shanganyane Percy Hlangothi;
Abstract:
Formulation of modified bitumen co-blends presents challenges associated with contributions of individual and interaction effects to thermo-rheological properties. Crumb rubber and ethylene vinyl acetate were used to study the optimization of co-blends in 70/100 bitumen and compared to industrial standards. A laboratory mixer fitted
with a dual helical impeller was used to perform the mixing after which dynamic shear rheometer was utilized to characterize the bituminous binders. The results showed that phase angle decreases with co-blend proportions, whereas the rutting parameter and complex shear modulus increase. Response surface methodology can be used to optimize formulations for modification of 70/100 bitumen.
Keywords:
70/100 bitumen, Co-blend, Crumb rubber, Ethylene vinyl acetate, Response surface methodology