Improving Asphalt Binder Properties for Cold Regions Using Plastic Modifiers

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Funding Agency: DOD

Abstract: 

This study focuses on developing procedures for incorporating recycled plastics into asphalt binders and mixtures suitable for both cold and hot regions. The laboratory phase evaluated storage stability and phase separation of plastic modified binders using compatibilizers, along with rutting, fatigue, and low-temperature cracking performance of asphalt biners and mixtures. Plastics were further classified based on intrinsic properties such as crystallinity rather than source. Ongoing laboratory testing is identifying suitable asphalt-plastic combinations for constructing accelerated pavement sections. The outcomes will establish stable asphalt binder-plastic formulations with improved storage stability and enhanced performance across a wide range of temperatures. These results will generate characterization-based design inputs and practical construction guidelines for DoD pavement applications, with field validation providing reliable parameters for large-scale implementation.

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