Road Institute

Role of Polymers on New Superpave Asphalt

Mix Design Specificaions for Roads

March
31,
2003
1 329
May
2005

Introduction to Polymers
Superpave Mix Design

By
Eng. Hamad Alslyman

PRESENTATION OUTLINE
Pre-Superpave Mix Design Methods
SHRP and Superpave
Superpave
SUperpave steps

Polymers Modified Asphalt (PMA) Technical Basis

Mix. Design History

HVEEM MIX
DESIGN
Some Volumetric properties not
emphesized
Asphalt Content Selection very subjective

MARSHALL
MIX DESIGN
Impact Compaction unrealistic
Stability not related to
performance
5/2/2006

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Marshall Design Criteria

Light Traffic
ESAL < 104
Compaction
Stability N (lb.)

Medium Traffic
10 4 < ESAL< 10

Heavy Traffic
ESAL > 106

35

50

75

3336 (750)

5338 (1200)

8006 (1800)

Flow, 0.25 mm (0.1 in)

8 to 18

8 to 16

8 to 14

Air Voids, %

3 to 5

3 to 5

3 to 5

Voids in Mineral Agg.

(VMA)

5/2/2006

Varies with aggregate size

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SHRP and SuperPave

5/2/2006

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Strategic Highway Research Program SHRP

Superior Performance Asphalt Pavement (SuperPave)

User- Producers Steering Committee

SHRP- SuperPave

Federal Highway Adm. SHRP- Implementation

SuperPave
5/2/2006

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SUPERPAVE TECHNICAL BASIS

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SUPERPAVE TECHNICAL BASIS

1- Performance Based Specs
2- Measurement Based Tests
3- Stress-Strain Based Analysis

4- Behavior depends on:

- Temperature
- Time of loading
- Aging (properties change with time)

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SUPERPAVE LEVELS
Material Selection
Compaction and Vol. Design
Mix Performance Tests

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MATERIAL SELECTION

AGGREGATES
ASPHALT CEMENT (Binder)

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AGGREGATES

Aggregate Properties
Aggregate Source
Aggregate Gradation
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AGGREGATES
Aggregate Gradation
1- Max Density Line
2- Control Points
3- Restricted Zone

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Superpave Aggregate Gradation

% Passing
100
max density line

restricted zone
control point

.075

.3

2.36

4.75

9.5

nom
max
size

12.5

max
size

19.0

Sieve Size (mm) Raised to 0.45 Power

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Superpave Aggregate Gradation

% Passing
100

Design Aggregate Structure

0

.075 .3

2.36

12.5

19.0

Sieve Size (mm) Raised to 0.45 Power

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MATERIAL SELECTION

AGGREGATES
ASPHALT CEMENT (Binder)
SUPERPAVE BINDER TESTS

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SUPERPAVE BINDER TESTS

)Dynamic Shear Rheometer (DSR

)Rotational Viscometer (RV

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5/2/2006

SUPERPAVE BINDER TESTS

)Bending Beam Rheometer (BBR

)Direct Tension Tester (DTT

)Rolling Thin Film Oven (RTFO

)Pressure Aging Vessel (PAV

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5/2/2006

SUPERPAVE BINDER TESTS

DTT

RV

BBR
-20

DSR
60

135

20

Short Term Aging

RTFO - AGING

NO - AGING

PAV - AGING

Long Term Aging

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High Temperature Behavior

High in-service temperature
Desert climates
Summer temperatures
Sustained loads
Slow moving trucks
Intersections

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Viscous Liquid

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Permanent Deformation

Courtesy of FHWA

Function of warm weather and traffic

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Low Temperature Behavior

Low Temperature
Cold climates
Winter
Rapid Loads
Fast moving trucks

Elastic Solid

Thermal cracks
Stress generated by contraction
Material is brittle

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Thermal Cracking

Courtesy of FHWA

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Aging
Asphalt reacts with oxygen
Short term
Long term

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Superpave Asphalt Binder Specification

The grading system is based on Climate

PG 64 - 22

Performance
Grade

Min pavement
temperature
Average 7-day max
pavement temperature

New Superpave Performance Graded Specification

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Tests Used in PG Specifications

Construction

RV

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DSR

BBR

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Rotational Viscometer

Torque Motor

Inner Cylinder

Thermosel
Environmental
Chamber

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Digital Temperature
Controller

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Rutting, and
Fatigue

RV

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DSR

BBR

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DSR Equipment
Motor

Parallel Plates
with Sample
Area for
Liquid Bath

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DSR Equipment
Computer Control
and Data
Acquisition

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DSR
Equipment

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Rutting

BBR

RV
DSR
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Short Term Aging

Rolling Thin Film Oven

Simulates aging from hot mixing and construction

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Fatigue

BBR

RV
DSR
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Fatigue Cracking
Function of repeated traffic loads over time
(in wheel paths)

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Long Term Aging

( Pressure Aging Vessel )
Simulates aging of 7 to 10 years
50 gram sample is aged for 20 hours
Pressure of 2,070 kPa (300 psi)
At 90, 100 or 110 C

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Pressure Aging Vessel

Courtesy of FHWA

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Thermal
Cracking

RV

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DSR

BBR

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Bending Beam Rheometer

Deflection Transducer

Computer
Air Bearing
Load Cell

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Fluid Bath

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Bending Beam Rheometer Sample

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Bending Beam Rheometer Equipment

Fluid Bath
Loading
Ram

Cooling
System

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Direct Tension Test

Load
Stress = = P / A
L

Le

Strain

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Direct Tension Test

Courtesy of FHWA

5/2/2006

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Superpave Binder Purchase

Specification

Performance Grades
CEC

Avg 7-day Max, oC

1-day Min, oC

PG 46

PG 52

PG 58

PG 64

PG 70

PG 76

PG 82

-34 -40 -46 -10 -16 -22 -28 -34 -40 -46 -16 -22 -28 -34 -40 -10 -16 -22 -28 -34 -40 -10 -16 -22 -28 -34 -40 -10 -16 -22 -28 -34 -10 -16 -22
-28 -34

ORIGINAL
> 230 oC

(Flash Point)

< 3 Pa.s @ 135 oC

(Rotational Viscosity)
(Dynamic Shear Rheometer)

> 1.00 kPa

46

52

58

52

90

90

58

10 7

25 22 19 16 13 10 7

m > 0.300

100

5/2/2006

76

82

PAV
100 (110)

110 (110)

DSR G* sin

(Bending Beam Rheometer)

(Direct Tension)
-24 -30 -36 0
-18 -24

82

28 31
25 22 19 16 13 31 28 25 22 19 16 34 31 28 25 22 19 37 34 31 28 25 40 37 34

-24 -30 -36 0 -6 -12 -18 -24 -30 -36 -6 -12 -18 -24 -30
18 -24

> 1.00 %

70

100 (110)

( Bending Beam Rheometer)

Report Value

76

Mass Loss < 1.00 %

64

(Dynamic Shear Rheometer)

< 5000 kPa

S < 300 MPa

100

70

DSR G*/sin

(PRESSURE AGING VESSEL)

20 Hours, 2.07 MPa

DSR G*/sin

RTFO

(Dynamic Shear Rheometer)

46

RV

64

(ROLLING THIN FILM OVEN)

> 2.20 kPa

FP

-6 -12 -18 -24 -30 -36 -6

-12 -18 -24 -30 0

BBR S Stiffness
-6 -12 -18 -24 -30 0

BBR

& m- value

-6 -12 -18 -24 -30 0

-6 -12 -18 -24

-6

-12 -

0 -6 -12 -18 -24

-6 -12

Physical Hardening

DT
-6 -12 -18 -24 -30

-6 -12 -18 -24 -30

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How the PG Spec Works

CEC

Spec Requirement
1-day Min, C
Remains Constant

Avg 7-day Max, oC

o

PG 46

PG 52

PG 58

PG 64

(Rotational Viscosity)
(Dynamic Shear Rheometer)

> 1.00 kPa

46

5858

52

46

52

90

100

25 22 19 16 13 10 7

m > 0.300

(Bending Beam Rheometer)

(Direct Tension)
-24 -30 -36 0
-18 -24

76

82

PAV
100 (110)

110 (110)

28 31
25 22 19 16 13 31 28 25 22 19 16 34 31 28 25 22 19 37 34 31 28 25 40 37 34

-24 -30 -36 0 -6 -12 -18 -24 -30 -36 -6 -12 -18 -24 -30
18 -24

> 1.00 %

82

DSR G* sin

( Bending Beam Rheometer)

Report Value

70

100 (110)

(Dynamic Shear Rheometer)

76

Mass Loss < 1.00 %

64

Test Temperature
< 5000 kPa
Changes
10 7

70

DSR G*/sin

58

100

DSR G*/sin

RTFO

(PRESSURE AGING VESSEL)

90

RV

64

(Dynamic Shear Rheometer)

> 2.20 kPa

FP

64

(ROLLING THIN FILM OVEN)

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PG 82

ORIGINAL
(Flash Point)

< 3 Pa.s @ 135 oC

S < 300 MPa

PG 76

-34 -40 -46 -10 -16 -22 -28 -34 -40 -46 -16 -22 -28 -34 -40 -10 -16 -22 -28 -34 -40 -10 -16 -22 -28 -34 -40 -10 -16 -22 -28 -34 -10 -16 -22
-28 -34

> 230 oC

20 Hours, 2.07 MPa

PG 70

-6 -12 -18 -24 -30 -36 -6

-12 -18 -24 -30 0

BBR S Stiffness
-6 -12 -18 -24 -30 0

BBR

& m- value

-6 -12 -18 -24 -30 0

-6 -12 -18 -24

-6

-12 -

0 -6 -12 -18 -24

-6 -12

Physical Hardening

DT
-6 -12 -18 -24 -30

-6 -12 -18 -24 -30

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Permanent Deformation
CEC

Avg 7-day Max, oC

1-day Min, oC

PG 46

PG 52

PG 58

PG 64

PG 70

PG 76

PG 82

-34 -40 -46 -10 -16 -22 -28 -34 -40 -46 -16 -22 -28 -34 -40 -10 -16 -22 -28 -34 -40 -10 -16 -22 -28 -34 -40 -10 -16 -22 -28 -34 -10 -16 -22
-28 -34

ORIGINAL
> 230 oC

(Flash Point)

< 3 Pa.s @ 135 oC

(Rotational Viscosity)
(Dynamic Shear Rheometer)

> 1.00 kPa

46

52

58

52

90

90

58

10 7

25 22 19 16 13 10 7

m > 0.300

100

5/2/2006

76

82

PAV
100 (110)

110 (110)

DSR G* sin

(Bending Beam Rheometer)

(Direct Tension)
-24 -30 -36 0
-18 -24

82

28 31
25 22 19 16 13 31 28 25 22 19 16 34 31 28 25 22 19 37 34 31 28 25 40 37 34

-24 -30 -36 0 -6 -12 -18 -24 -30 -36 -6 -12 -18 -24 -30
18 -24

> 1.00 %

70

100 (110)

( Bending Beam Rheometer)

Report Value

76

Mass Loss < 1.00 %

64

(Dynamic Shear Rheometer)

< 5000 kPa

S < 300 MPa

100

70

DSR G*/sin

(PRESSURE AGING VESSEL)

20 Hours, 2.07 MPa

DSR G*/sin

RTFO

(Dynamic Shear Rheometer)

46

RV

64

(ROLLING THIN FILM OVEN)

Unaged
> 2.20 kPa
RTFO Aged

FP

-6 -12 -18 -24 -30 -36 -6

-12 -18 -24 -30 0

BBR S Stiffness
-6 -12 -18 -24 -30 0

BBR

& m- value

-6 -12 -18 -24 -30 0

-6 -12 -18 -24

-6

-12 -

0 -6 -12 -18 -24

-6 -12

Physical Hardening

DT
-6 -12 -18 -24 -30

-6 -12 -18 -24 -30

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Permanent Deformation

Addressed by high temp stiffness

G*/sin on unaged binder > 1.00 kPa
G*/sin on RTFO aged binder > 2.20 kPa

Heavy Trucks

5/2/2006

> Early part of

pavement
service life

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Fatigue Cracking
CEC

Avg 7-day Max, oC

1-day Min, oC

PG 46

PG 52

PG 58

PG 64

PG 70

PG 76

PG 82

-34 -40 -46 -10 -16 -22 -28 -34 -40 -46 -16 -22 -28 -34 -40 -10 -16 -22 -28 -34 -40 -10 -16 -22 -28 -34 -40 -10 -16 -22 -28 -34 -10 -16 -22
-28 -34

ORIGINAL
> 230 oC

(Flash Point)

< 3 Pa.s @ 135 oC

(Rotational Viscosity)
(Dynamic Shear Rheometer)

> 1.00 kPa

46

52

58

52

90

90

58

100

10 7

25 22 19 16 13 10 7

S < 300 MPa

m > 0.300
PAV Aged

100

5/2/2006

76

82

PAV
100 (110)

110 (110)

DSR G* sin

(Bending Beam Rheometer)

(Direct Tension)
-24 -30 -36 0
-18 -24

82

28 31
25 22 19 16 13 31 28 25 22 19 16 34 31 28 25 22 19 37 34 31 28 25 40 37 34

-24 -30 -36 0 -6 -12 -18 -24 -30 -36 -6 -12 -18 -24 -30
18 -24

> 1.00 %

70

100 (110)

( Bending Beam Rheometer)

Report Value

76

Mass Loss < 1.00 %

64

(Dynamic Shear Rheometer)

< 5000 kPa

70

DSR G*/sin

(PRESSURE AGING VESSEL)

20 Hours, 2.07 MPa

DSR G*/sin

RTFO

(Dynamic Shear Rheometer)

46

RV

64

(ROLLING THIN FILM OVEN)

> 2.20 kPa

FP

-6 -12 -18 -24 -30 -36 -6

-12 -18 -24 -30 0

BBR S Stiffness
-6 -12 -18 -24 -30 0

BBR

& m- value

-6 -12 -18 -24 -30 0

-6 -12 -18 -24

-6

-12 -

0 -6 -12 -18 -24

-6 -12

Physical Hardening

DT
-6 -12 -18 -24 -30

-6 -12 -18 -24 -30

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Fatigue Cracking

Addressed by intermediate temperature

stiffness

G*sin on RTFO & PAV aged

binder < 5000 kPa

> Later part of

pavement service life

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Low Temperature Cracking

CEC

Avg 7-day Max, oC

1-day Min, oC

PG 46

PG 52

PG 58

PG 64

PG 70

PG 76

PG 82

-34 -40 -46 -10 -16 -22 -28 -34 -40 -46 -16 -22 -28 -34 -40 -10 -16 -22 -28 -34 -40 -10 -16 -22 -28 -34 -40 -10 -16 -22 -28 -34 -10 -16 -22
-28 -34

ORIGINAL
> 230 oC

(Flash Point)

< 3 Pa.s @ 135 oC

(Rotational Viscosity)
(Dynamic Shear Rheometer)

> 1.00 kPa

46

52

58

52

90

90

58

10 7

25 22 19 16 13 10 7

m > 0.300

PAV Aged

70

76

82

PAV
100 (110)

100 (110)

110 (110)

DSR G* sin

(Bending Beam Rheometer)

(Direct Tension)
-24 -30 -36 0
-18 -24

82

28 31
25 22 19 16 13 31 28 25 22 19 16 34 31 28 25 22 19 37 34 31 28 25 40 37 34

-24 -30 -36 0 -6 -12 -18 -24 -30 -36 -6 -12 -18 -24 -30
18 -24

> 1.00 %

5/2/2006

100

( Bending Beam Rheometer)

Report Value

76

Mass Loss < 1.00 %

64

(Dynamic Shear Rheometer)

< 5000 kPa

S < 300 MPa

100

70

DSR G*/sin

(PRESSURE AGING VESSEL)

20 Hours, 2.07 MPa

DSR G*/sin

RTFO

(Dynamic Shear Rheometer)

46

RV

64

(ROLLING THIN FILM OVEN)

> 2.20 kPa

FP

-6 -12 -18 -24 -30 -36 -6

-12 -18 -24 -30 0

BBR S Stiffness
-6 -12 -18 -24 -30 0

BBR

& m- value

-6 -12 -18 -24 -30 0

-6 -12 -18 -24

-6

-12 -

0 -6 -12 -18 -24

-6 -12

Physical Hardening

DT
-6 -12 -18 -24 -30

-6 -12 -18 -24 -30

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Low Temperature Cracking

CEC

Avg 7-day Max, oC

1-day Min, oC

PG 46

PG 52

PG 58

PG 64

PG 70

PG 76

PG 82

-34 -40 -46 -10 -16 -22 -28 -34 -40 -46 -16 -22 -28 -34 -40 -10 -16 -22 -28 -34 -40 -10 -16 -22 -28 -34 -40 -10 -16 -22 -28 -34 -10 -16 -22
-28 -34

ORIGINAL
> 230 oC

(Flash Point)

< 3 Pa.s @ 135 oC

(Rotational Viscosity)
(Dynamic Shear Rheometer)

> 1.00 kPa

46

52

58

52

90

90

58

10 7

25 22 19 16 13 10 7

m > 0.300

PAV Aged

70

76

82

PAV
100 (110)

100 (110)

110 (110)

DSR G* sin

(Bending Beam Rheometer)

(Direct Tension)
-24 -30 -36 0
-18 -24

82

28 31
25 22 19 16 13 31 28 25 22 19 16 34 31 28 25 22 19 37 34 31 28 25 40 37 34

-24 -30 -36 0 -6 -12 -18 -24 -30 -36 -6 -12 -18 -24 -30
18 -24

> 1.00 %

5/2/2006

100

( Bending Beam Rheometer)

Report Value

76

Mass Loss < 1.00 %

64

(Dynamic Shear Rheometer)

< 5000 kPa

S < 300 MPa

100

70

DSR G*/sin

(PRESSURE AGING VESSEL)

20 Hours, 2.07 MPa

DSR G*/sin

RTFO

(Dynamic Shear Rheometer)

46

RV

64

(ROLLING THIN FILM OVEN)

> 2.20 kPa

FP

-6 -12 -18 -24 -30 -36 -6

-12 -18 -24 -30 0

BBR S Stiffness
-6 -12 -18 -24 -30 0

BBR

& m- value

-6 -12 -18 -24 -30 0

-6 -12 -18 -24

-6

-12 -

0 -6 -12 -18 -24

-6 -12

Physical Hardening

DT
-6 -12 -18 -24 -30

-6 -12 -18 -24 -30

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PG Binder Selection
PG 52-28

PG 58-22
5/2/2006

> Many agencies have

established zones

PG 58-16

PG 64-10
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COMPACTION And
VOLUMETRIC DESIGN

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COMPACTION
Key Components of Gyratory Compactor
height
measurement
reaction
frame

tilt bar

rotating
base

5/2/2006

control and data

acquisition panel

loading
ram
mold

Ram pressure
600 kPa

1.25o

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Volumetric Analysis

Analyzing relationships between mass and

volume
Bulk specific gravity (BSG)
Maximum specific gravity
Air voids
Effective specific gravity of aggregate
Voids in mineral aggregate, VMA
Voids filled with asphalt, VFA

Specimen Preparation
Mechanical mixer

5/2/2006

0.170 Pa-s binder viscosity

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Superpave Volumetric Mix Design Specs

Determine mix properties at NDesign and compare to criteria :
Air voids

4% (or 96% Gmm)

VMA

Based on Agg Size

VFA

Based on Traffic V.

%Gmmat Nmin

< 89%

%Gmmat Nmax
Dust proportion

5/2/2006

< 98%
0.6 to 1.2

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Moisture Sensitivity
ECS

AASHTO TP 34

Temp. Cycling
Wet - Dry cycles
Repeated Loading

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Moisture Sensitivity
ECS

5/2/2006

AASHTO TP 34

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Moisture Sensitivity
AASHTO T 283

Determine the tensile strengths

of both sets of 3 specimens
Calculate the Tensile
Strength Ratio (TSR)

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Mix Performance Tests

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Mix Analysis Testing

Type of Distress

Type of
Analysis
Permanent

Interme
diate

Complete

5/2/2006

Fatique
Cracking

Low Temp.
cracking

Simple shear test Simple shear test lndirect tensile creep

at constant height at constant height
Frequency sweep Frequency sweep Ind. tensile strength
at constant height at const. height
Binder creep stiffness
Repeated shear test Indirect tensile
and Creep rate
at cons shear ratio strength
Uniaxil Strain test Indirect tensile lndirect tensile creep
strength
Volumetric test
Ind. tensile strength
Frequency sweepat const. height
Binder creep stiffness
Simple shear test at const. height
and Creep rate
Repeated shear at const shear ratio
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Simple Shear Testing System (SST)

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Indirect Tensile Testing System (IDT)

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POLYMER
The word polymer is a combination of two Greek
words polys and meros. Polys means numerous,
and meros means part; therefore, polymer is a
compound of numerous parts. Actually, a polymer is a
large molecule which consist of of one or more
repeating units linked together by covalent bonds.

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Requirements For Polymers

Should be compatible with asphalt.
Should be capable of being processed by conventional
mixing and laying equipment.
Should be able to maintain their premium properties
during mixing, storage, and application services.
Should also be cost effective.

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Ideal Polymers for PMA

Increases the softening point of PMA
Maintains viscosity resulting in good hot-mix

5/2/2006

workability.
Compatible with a wide range of asphalt
Excellent storage stability
Low shear blending
Low melting point less than 180 degree C

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Factors Affecting PMA Properties

Asphalt Type
Polymer Type
Polymer Content
Methods of Modification

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Synthetic Polymers
Elastomers
Chosen to give more resilient and flexible pavements
Compatible with aromatic asphalt

Plastomers
Chosen to result in mixes higher stabilities and stiffness
modulii.
Compatible with paraffinic and napthanic asphalt.

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Polymer Types
Plastomeric - stiffness ,strength, elasticity

EVA
EMA
PE
Polybutadiene

Elastomeric - elasticity, elastomeric recovery

SBS
SBR
CRM

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Compatibility

Function of Chemistry
Function Of Shearing
Particles must be sheared fine to create
distribution and easy bitumen-polymer
reaction.
Bitumen must be ABLE to react

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Compatibility
How well the polymer and asphalt interact
Depends on asphalt and polymer chemistry
Additives may be required
Profoundly affects the rheolgical properties of binder and
the mix performance

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compatible EVA 3%

poorly compatible 5% EMA

EVA compatible 5%

compatible EMA 5%

Effects of Incompatibility- Binder

Lower Softening Point
Higher stiffness low temperatures
Lower stiffness high temperatures
Higher phase angle
Shorter storage times
Higher melt viscosity

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5/2/2006

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Thank You