ADDITION OF POLYMER TO IMPROVE

EFFICIENCY OF ASPHALT CONCRETE MIX

1. Introduction

About 96% of all paved roads and
streets in the world are surfaced with
asphalt binders (EAPA 1998). Asphalt
used as a binder in hot-mix asphalt (HMA)
is a major by-product of the refining
industry. Materials for asphalt paving must
be complied with the requirements of
standard in order to be sure that it’s
suitable to utilize and last long whilst
highly safe for the users (Nopparat
Vichitcholchai 2012). Hot mix asphalt
concrete (HMA) is produced by heating
the asphalt binder to decrease its viscosity,
and drying the aggregate to remove
moisture from it prior to mixing. Mixing is
generally performed with the aggregate at
about 300 °F (roughly 150 °C) for virgin
asphalt and 330 °F (166 °C) for polymer
modified asphalt, and the asphalt cement at
200 °F (95 °C).
conventional asphalt concrete shows
limitation on temperature. It will become
very soft when expose to hot temperature
while easily crack when expose to cold
temperature (R. David Rowlett 1985). This
softness will make the roads very
susceptible to the formation of ruts. On the
other hands, from our research normal
asphalt concrete has disadvantages on the
maintenance in terms of cost. Highly cost
will be needed to repair the stripping road
pavement and it required machineries that
are very expensive to be obtained.
Furthermore, the expected life cycle in
terms of durability is only 15-20 years
without maintenance (Nate Gauff 2011).
Pavement road is used by the user
everyday and continuously usage of road
can damage the structure and also reduce
the life cycle of the road structure.

In order to improve the quality of

asphalt, the materials that play a role as a
binder need to achieve certain properties;
increasing viscosity and elasticity,
decreasing susceptible of temperature,
higher softening point and aging
resistance, lastly, improve towards
cohesion. According to our research,
conventional asphalt concrete has several
problems that need to be overcome in
order to provide its better efficiency. The
first problem is in terms of strength.
Conventional asphalt paving road cannot
sustain too much hard traffic and high
loading weight will easily stripping off the
roads because very susceptible to damage
from heavy vehicles. Moreover,