Polymer modification of Arab Asphalt to Suit Gulf Countries' performance requirements

(1996) Polymer modification of Arab Asphalt to Suit Gulf Countries' performance requirements. PhD thesis, King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals.

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Arabic Abstract

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English Abstract

Asphalt binders are thermo-visco-elastic materials where temperature and rate of load application have a great influence on their behavior. They are classified as a rheological materials since their stress-strain response is both time and temperature dependent. Asphalt binder consistency and hence ability to sustain and hold its fundamental cementing mechanism changes depending on temperature. The neat asphalt binders lack the proper viscous-elastic balance that usually occur due to an effective elastic network created by molecular association. It is hypothesized that proper visco-elastic balance can be formed by creating molecular entanglement in an asphalt through the use of high molecular weight polymeric additives. In this research, the physical and rheological properties of the locally produced Arab asphalt binders and the performance requirements of the Gulf countries environmenal conditions were determined. Moreover, a procedure for modifying asphalt binders was developed together with a criteria to evaluate the effectiveness of the polymer modification process. The developed procedure and criteria were implemented to modify Arab asphalt binders to satisfy the preformance requirements of the Gulf countries considering rutting, fatigue and low temperature cracking. The designed experiments and the collected data clearly indicated that the locally produced asphalt binders can be used without modification in areas where the maximum pavement temperature does not exceed 64⁰C. Temperature zoning indicated that more than 50% of the Gulf countries experience a maximum pavement temperature of 76⁰C. Therefore, asphalt binder modification is required to meet Gulf countries' performance requirements. It is evident that polymer modification is capable and effective in improving the neat Arab asphalt binders reheological properties to meet and satisfy the performance requirements of the Gulf countries. Further, life cycle cost analysis of various polymer modified mixtures indicates that the polymer modification is feasible and is economically justified. Preliminary evaluation of hot mix asphalt concrete containing polymer modified asphalt binders were performed. These experiments indicated that the performance of a mix containing polyethylene was superior to other mixtures.

Item Type: Thesis (PhD)
Subjects: Civil Engineering
Department: College of Design and Built Environment > Civil and Environmental Engineering
Committee Advisor: Al-Abdul Wahhab, Hamad I.
Committee Members: Bubshait, Khaled A. and Al-Ahmadi, H. M. and Ergun, Gokmen and Al-Fossail, Khalid A. and Ali, Mohammed F.
Depositing User: Mr. Admin Admin
Date Deposited: 22 Jun 2008 13:50
Last Modified: 01 Nov 2019 13:52
URI: http://eprints.kfupm.edu.sa/id/eprint/9852