Use of predigested rubber in asphalt mixtures for airport pavements.

Description

Use of predigested rubber in asphalt mixtures for airport pavements.

Alarcón Ibarra, Jorge1, Bandala Vázquez, Hugo2, Estrada Cortez, Jorge Armando3.

1. Universidad Michoacana de San Nicolas de Hidalgo; Michoacán, México.
2. Neotech Asphalt; Guanajuato, México.
3. Neotech Asphalt; Michoacán, México.
1. jorge.alarcon@umich.mx
2. hbandala@neotechasphalt.mx
3. Ing.jaec@icloud.com

ABSTRACT. Asphalt mixtures have been widely adopted as road surfaces for major highways and some airports in Mexico due to their ease of implementation and the short maintenance times required. However, pavement load conditions have been evolving, demanding greater mechanical performance from asphalt mixtures. This has been addressed by modifying the components of asphalt mixtures, either by altering their asphalt cement with polymers or by adding various additives to the mix. One such additive that improves the performance of asphalt mixtures is predigested crumb rubber, which increases the cracking tolerance of the mixtures without sacrificing their rut resistance. This paper describes the design process of an asphalt mixture modified with predigested crumb rubber, proposing considerations for its volumetric design and presenting the results of moisture damage susceptibility (TSR) and permanent deformation resistance tests in the Hamburg Wheel Load Test (HWTT). This design is intended for implementation on the runway of the Bajío international airport in Mexico, where loads are considerably higher than those of a federal highway; airports are the main players in implementing this type of mixture. Finally, this article mentions the airports in Mexico that have implemented asphalt mixtures modified with predigested crumb rubber.

KEYWORDS: predigested rubber, asphalt mixtures, crumb rubber, airport pavements, asphalt mixture modified, EOLT.