Rheological Study Of Bituminous Modified Pavement Mixes

Abstract

The empirical tests such as penetration, softening point and ductility have been used for characterization of bitumen in India. The rheological characterization of bituminous binders based on the properties such as penetration, softening point, ductility and absolute viscosity are not satisfactory to characterize the bituminous binders. In the present study, dynamic shear rheometer was used for characterizing the bituminous binders which measures rheological properties directly. The rheological properties of modified binders were analyzed using Dynamic Shear Rheometer (SR5 Ashphalt Rheometer) and testing was performed in temperatures from 46°C to 82° C in increments of 6°C at a frequency of 10 rad/s. A comparison has been made between empirical tests results and the rheological properties obtained from Dynamic Shear Rheometer like complex modulus (G*), phase angle (δ) and dynamic viscosity (ηʹ) were discussed in this paper. The results from the present study indicate that the rheological properties increases as the modifier concentration increases. It is observed that the complex modulus increases with decrease in penetration values but phase angle increases with increase in penetration values.