Effects of Aging on the Physical and Rheological Properties of Bitumen Binder Incorporating Sulphur and Waste Plastic

This paper focuses on physical and rheological properties of conventional bitumen binder blended with different percentage of sulphur and waste plastic. The rheological properties of the sulphur and waste plastic modified binders were characterized before and after being subjected to short-term aging using dynamic shear rheometer (DSR) according to Superpave test protocols. The results indicated that the penetration and softening point were consistently decreased and increased, respectively for unaged and short-term aged samples. Optimum modifier content was evaluated for both the modifiers. The modified bitumen binders exhibited change in binder rheology after subjected to short-term aged which influenced the rutting parameter. A statistical analysis showed that modified bitumen binder had significantly increased the G*/Sin δ parameter which indicated greater resistance to rutting. Moreover the bituminous concrete mix blended with the optimum dose of modifiers exhibited better stability & flow value.