Performance Properties of Alternative Polymerized Asphalt Mixtures Containing Various Antistripping Additives

The objective of this research project was to conduct a laboratory investigation of alternative polymerized asphalt mixtures in terms of moisture susceptibility, permanent deformation, dynamic modulus, and flow number of laboratory-prepared and field-prepared mixtures. The experimental design includes three alternative polymerized binders [ethene homo-polymer white powder polymer, an oxidized polyethylene wax-like powder polymer, and the combinations of styrene butadiene styrene (SBS) with ethane homo-polymer], a SBS binder, two reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP) contents, three antistripping additives (ASAs) (hydrated lime and two liquids), and two aggregate sources. A total of 11 mix designs were performed in this study. Some of these materials were used to construct several field test sections. The results of field-prepared samples were compared with the laboratory-prepared samples. The laboratory-prepared sample test results indicated that similar asphalt binder content can be obtained in Superpave mix design, and that these designs satisfy the volumetric requirements of the South Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT). The indirect tensile strength (ITS) and tensile strength ratio (TSR) results showed that all polymers and liquid ASAs can be used to resist the moisture damage of asphalt pavement regardless of the aggregate source. In addition, the rut depths of mixtures generally were less than 3 mm for all polymer types, aggregate sources, and ASA types. The dynamic modulus ($|{\mathrm{E}}^{*}|$) and phase angle values of alternative polymerized mixtures generally were similar to those of SBS mixtures. The results imply that the properties of these hot mixtures prepared using the new polymers are comparable to SBS mixtures and pass all DOT specifications.