Influence of compaction temperature on rubberized asphalt mixes and binders

Abstract

This research investigates the influence of compaction temperature on rubberized asphalt mixes and binders. For this, four Superpave mix designs for four asphalt binders (control, 3% styrene–butadiene–styrene (SBS)-modified, 10% rubber-modified, and 15% rubber-modified) were carried out. A total of 160 specimens were manufactured at four compaction temperatures of 116, 135, 154, and 173 °C. The binders were artificially short-term aged for 2 h at the mixture compaction temperatures prior to the binder tests. The results from this study showed that: (i) the control and SBS-modified mixtures could have almost the same air–void contents at a wide range of compaction temperatures; (ii) the compaction temperatures significantly affected the volumetric properties of the rubberized mixes; (iii) the aging difference of asphalt binder in the mixture depending on the compaction temperature is not considered to be a main factor affecting the volumetric properties of the mixtures.