Repeated Creep Behavior of Polypropylene Fiber-Reinforced Bituminous Mixtures

Abstract

In recent years, research has been devoted to the control of permanent deformations in flexible pavements. In order to prevent rutting, fatigue, and low-temperature cracking, different types of polymer modifiers have been utilized. The use of polypropylene (PP) fibers as a modifier in pavement mix that can be found locally and at low cost compared to other modifiers is an attractive option. This paper reports on the Marshall design and the optimum bitumen content for asphalt concrete with the addition of polypropylene fibers. Different types of PP fibers were used in order to determine the optimum bitumen content and the optimal PP fiber dosage. Marshall specimens were tested using the universal testing machine to determine the creep behavior of dense bituminous mixtures under repeated loading. The results from the analysis of the tested specimens show that the addition of polypropylene fibers improves the behavior of the specimens by increasing the life of samples under repeated creep testing.