ABSTRACT
Abstract This study was carried out to evaluate the effect of using polymer for modifying asphalt binder. Four polymer materials (SBS, SBR, LLDPE and LDPE) were selected and used for modification of AP-3 asphalt binder widely used in Korea. Tensile properties were measured from polymer modified asphalt concretes. The results showed that some of the polymer materials were more effective than others in improving tensile characteristics of asphalt concrete. Keywords: Asphalt, Polymer, Polymer-modified asphalt, Tensile strength
1. Introduction
Since asphalt binder changes its characteristics significantly by temperature, the asphalt concrete pavement under service changes its behaviour significantly due to temperature variation. At low temperature, asphalt shows brittle characteristics which is known to be a major cause of thermal cracking in asphalt pavementsfl]. At high temperature, asphalt shows easy deformation which is a major cause of rutting in the pavements. Characteristics of asphalt concrete pavement are highly dependent upon the asphalt binder property. Therefore, change or modification of asphalt binder property is considered important for improving performance of asphalt concrete pavement[2].
