Micromechanics-Based Viscoelasticity Predictions of Crumb Rubber Modified Bitumen Considering Polymer Network Effects

Haopeng Wang, Hong Zhang, Xueyan Liu, Panos Apostolidis, Sandra Erkens, Athanasios Skarpas, Zhen Leng, Gordon Airey

Research output: Chapter in book / Conference proceedingChapter in an edited book (as author)Academic researchpeer-review

7 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Crumb rubber modified bitumen (CRMB) can be regarded as a binary composite system in which swollen rubber particles are embedded in the bitumen matrix. Previous study has successfully implemented the micromechanics models in predicting the complex moduli of CRMB binders using more representative constituent parameters. In the regime of master curves, while the micromechanics models used predicted well in the high-frequency range, they underestimated the complex modulus in the low-frequency range. The current study aims to further improve the prediction accuracy of micromechanics models for CRMB by considering the interparticle interactions. To accomplish this goal, a new reinforcement mechanism called chain entanglement effect was introduced to account for the interparticle interaction effect. Results show that the polymer chain entanglement effect accounts for the underestimation of complex modulus and lack of elasticity (overestimation of phase angle) for CRMB at high temperatures/low frequencies. The mechanical properties of bitumen matrix and entangled polymer network can be determined based on the rubber content. The introduction of the entangled polymer network to the generalized self-consistent model significantly improved the prediction accuracy for both complex modulus and phase angle in the whole frequency range. In summary, by incorporating the physio-chemical interaction mechanism into the currently available models, a new dedicated micromechanics model for predicting the mechanical properties of CRMB has been developed. The predicted viscoelastic behaviors can thereafter be used as inputs for an improved mix design.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationTransportation Research Record
PublisherSAGE Publications Ltd
Pages73-88
Number of pages16
Edition10
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Oct 2022

Publication series

NameTransportation Research Record
Number10
Volume2676
ISSN (Print)0361-1981
ISSN (Electronic)2169-4052

Keywords

  • asphalt binder modifiers
  • asphalt binders
  • asphalt rubber
  • infrastructure materials
  • micromechanics
  • polymer network
  • rheological properties

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Civil and Structural Engineering
  • Mechanical Engineering

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