STUDY ON MODIFICATION OF RECLAIMED ASPHALT PAVEMENTS BY USING SOME ACRYLATE POLYMERS

The use of Reclaimed Asphalt Pavement (RAP) in the new blend mix reduces the need of neat bitumen, making the recycling of RAP economically attractive. This study investigates the potential use of vinyl acetate-butyl acrylate copolymer and the RAP in Hot Mix Asphalt (HMA). In fact, the twofold purpose of this research is to improve the performance of asphalt pavement and mitigate the environmental impacts caused by waste tires and aged asphalt pavement. To achieve this aim, vinyl acetate-bu-acrylate copolymer was added at different loading levels 2, 4 and 6 wt. % to the virgin bitumen and was used as a control mix for comparison. The modified binder was tested for physical characteristics, however the prepared mixes were tested and evaluated using Marshall test methods. The obtained results revealed that, the hot mix asphalt (HMA) with the highest stability, was obtained with the addition of 4 wt. % vinyl acetate-bu-acrylate copolymer, compared to the control mix design. Which indicates that, the bitumen is compatible with the acrylate copolymer.