Laboratory testing of low temperature asphalt concrete produced in foamed bitumen technology with fiber reinforcement

Abstract The paper presents the design process and test results of warm mix asphalt concrete produced with modified foamed bitumen and recycled synthetic fiber reinforcement. Recycling and low-temperature asphalt production techniques are now seen as the possibilities to increase the sustainability and energy effectiveness of road construction. Although low processing temperatures permit increased use of reclaimed and recycled materials in new asphalt mixes, they sometimes result in impaired service performance. The aim of this article was to present a possibility of producing a better performing asphalt concrete (in comparison to a control hot-mix) at lower temperatures. For this purpose two road paving bitumens modified with a surface active agent and a Fischer-Tropsch wax thoroughly tested for their basic, rheological characteristics and foaming performance. Selected binders were used for producing two control mixes (hot-mix and foamed warm mix with 35/50 bitumen) as well as the experimental mix with the modified 50/70 bitumen and an addition of synthetic fiber material from recycling of automotive tires. Basic properties of the mixes were tested (air void content, moisture susceptibility with one freeze-thaw cycle, wheel tracking) along with stiffness moduli and fatigue resistance. It was concluded that the control foamed warm-mix performed significantly worse than the hot-mix, while the experimental warm-mix with modified bitumen and fiber additive exhibited increased performance and resistance to fatigue and moisture.