The presentation proposes a solution to the problem of asphalt aging, which can cause roads and paved surfaces to deteriorate over time. By adding polyethylene and sulfur to asphalt, its aging resistance can be improved, leading to increased durability and reduced maintenance costs. Polyethylene forms a network of polymer chains that improve the strength and durability of the asphalt and reduce the penetration of damaging substances. Sulfur increases the cross-linking of asphalt molecules, making it more resistant to aging and other types of damage. The presentation highlights the benefits of this approach and provides examples of its successful applications in the construction industry.

1. IMPROVING THE AGING
RESISTANCE OF ASPHALT BY
ADDITION OF POLYETHYLENE AND
SULPHUR
Guided By
Nigil M
Asst. Professor,
CUCEK
By
Dalish T K
S8 Civil
Roll No. 34
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2. Contents
1. Introduction
2. Aim
3. Methodology
4. Physical properties
5. Preparation of modified binder
6. Results
7. Conclusion
8. References
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3. INTRODUCTION
 In flexible pavement mostly failure occur due to non structural rooting and different
type of cracking.
 Non structural rooting is due to poor asphalt mixture property ,heavy traffic load or
due to high temperature.
 Polymers like butadiene, styrene, polyethylene, polypropylene etc have been used in
asphalt pavement previously.
 It improves mechanical, physical, rhelogical properties of bitumen.
 Modification of asphalt binders can be done by adding different percentages of
elastomers (up to 7%).
 Soft modification = 3%
 Medium modification = 4.2%
 Hard modification = 5%
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4. INTRODUCTION (Contd)
 Optimum content = 3% of polyethylene
 Polyethylene modified bitumen become unworkable at 5% or more
due to high value of rotational viscosity.
 Aging index =
𝑏𝑖𝑛𝑑𝑒𝑟 𝑝𝑟𝑜𝑝𝑒𝑟𝑡𝑦 𝑎𝑓𝑡𝑒𝑟 𝑎𝑔𝑖𝑛𝑔
𝑠𝑎𝑚𝑒 𝑝𝑟𝑜𝑝𝑒𝑟𝑡𝑦 𝑏𝑒𝑓𝑜𝑟𝑒 𝑎𝑔𝑖𝑛𝑔
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5. AIM
To study the rheological property of asphalt by using cheap and
environmental friendly modifier
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6. METHODOLOGY
• Materials used are 60/70 PARCO bitumen,polyethylene,sulphur
• Tests used are conventional and advanced
• Conventional include softening point,ductility
• Advanced testing include FTIR,SEM,DSR
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7. Fig.1. fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy Fig.2. Scaning electron microscope
(Source: Paolino Caputo et al.,2018)
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8. Physical Properties
Property AASHTO
Designation
Result AASHTO
Specification
penetration T49 66 60-70
Softening point T53 49 49/56
Ductility T51 117 100 cm
Specific gravity 1.02 1.04 Max
Viscosity at 135.5’ C T316 450cP <= Pa.s
Table.1. Physical properties of 60/70 asphalt
(Source: Paolino Caputo et al.,2018)
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9. • The purpose of selecting grade 60/70 is that this typically used in
India and it’s appropriate for colder to intermediate temperature
region.
• Polyethylene is used in liquid form and sulphur used in powdered
form.
Properties Result
Chemical formula (C2H4)n
Melting point 115-135’C
Ductility 0.88-0.96 g/cm^3
Table.2. Physical properties of polyethylene
(Source: Paolino Caputo et al.,2018)
Physical properties (Contd)
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10. Physical properties (Contd)
Properties Result
Appearance Yellow crystalline solid
Specific gravity 1.92
Melting point 120’ C
Table.3. Physical properties of Sulphur
(Source: Paolino Caputo et al.,2018)
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11. • Sample is made by adding 5% by weight of polyethylene and sulphur
into 60/70 base binder
• 500g of bitumen for each percentage of each modifier was heated
until it turned into liquid
• Mixing was continued for 30 minutes so that polyethylene and
sulphur can be completely dissolved in asphalt binder
• Rolling thin film oven (RTFO) was used to feign the effect of short
term aging on neat and modified binder
• Asphalt in RTFO is aged by heating and blowing of hot air at 163oC for
80 minutes
• Penetration, ductility and softening point test were performed on
neat and modified binders before and after aging.
Preparation Of Modified Binder
11

12. Fig.3. Pressure Aging Vessel Fig.4. Rolling Thin Film Oven
Preparation Of Modified Binder(contd)
(Source: Tauste et al.,2018)
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13. • Softening point of all test samples was determined using Ring and Ball
apparatus according to ASTM D36 and ductility test was performed
according to ASTM D 113-17.
• Rheological characteristics of neat and modified binders were determined
using Dynamic Shear Rheometer (DSR).
• The output of DSR test is in the form of the complex shear modulus (G*)
and the phase angle (δ) of bitumen.
• Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy was used to examine the
chemical and structural modification of different samples
• IR radiations were passed through the sample, wavelength ranges from
4000 to 400 cm-1.
• Morphological analysis of the modified binders before and after aging was
carried out by Scanning Electron Microscope.
Preparation Of Modified Binder(contd)
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14. RESULTS
• In this research, different physical and rheological aging index were
used to observe the impact of aging various characteristics of neat
and modified bitumen.
• Aging index =
𝑔𝑖𝑣𝑒𝑛 𝑝𝑟𝑜𝑝𝑒𝑟𝑡𝑦 𝑜𝑓 𝑎𝑔𝑒𝑑 𝑎𝑠𝑝ℎ𝑎𝑙𝑡 𝑏𝑖𝑛𝑑𝑒𝑟
𝑠𝑎𝑚𝑒 𝑝𝑟𝑜𝑝𝑒𝑟𝑡𝑦 𝑜𝑓 𝑢𝑛𝑎𝑔𝑒𝑑 𝑏𝑖𝑡𝑢𝑚𝑒𝑛
• Aging index used in this research are
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15. Results (Contd)
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16. PENETRATION TEST RESULTS
• Penetration value represents the stiffness and hardening of asphalt
binder at normal temperature.
• Penetration decreases by adding 1-5% of polyethylene
• Penetration value increases by adding 2-5% of sulphur. Sulphur have
plasticizing effect on binder and have more resistance against thermal
cracking.
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17. Fig.5. Pentration value of (a) polyethylene modified bitumen and (b) sulphur modified bitumen
(Source: Elkholy et al., 2018) 17

18. PAR Graph
Shows that modified bitumen is more resistance to oxidative aging than normal bitumen.
Fig.6. PAR graph of (a) polyethylene modified bitumen and (b) sulphur modified bitumen
(Source: Elkholy et al., 2018)
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19. Softening Point Test Results
• By adding 2% to 5% of polyethylene into the base binder, softening point of
the binder increased.
• 2% addition of PE resulted in 3% increase in softening point.
Figure.7. Softening Point of (a) Polyethylene modified bitumen and (b) Sulphur modified bitumen
(Source: Elkholy et al., 2018)
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20. Softening Point Test Results(Contd)
• It means that the PE modified bitumen has a better high temperature
rutting resistance.
• Asphalt binder becomes softer on the addition of sulphur.
• But after the aging, the hardening level of modified bitumen binder
kept on increasing.
• By the increase in softening temperature after the two aging.
• Higher softening point asphalt cement is mostly preferred in hot
regions.
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21. Penetration Index
• It is a quantitative measure and its value lies between -3 and +7
• (-3) for highly temperature prone bitumen and (+7) for less
temperature prone or highly blown bitumen.
• Higher PI values indicate higher temperature resistance. Generally for
road construction, asphalt binder has PI between -2 to +2.
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22. Ductility Test Results
• Ductility characteristics of bitumen is determined by ductility retained
ratio .
• Addition of polyethylene reduce the ductility of the binder.
Figure.8. Softening Point of (a) Polyethylene modified bitumen and (b) Sulphur modified bitumen
(Source: Elkholy et al., 2018) 22

23. Ductility Test Results(Contd)
• DRR in both cases is increasing which represented that the addition
of PE and S can reduce deterioration in ductility of asphalt during
aging.
• At 3% addition of PE the ductility value reduced from 100 to 83
causing a decrease of 25% with respect to base binder.
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24. SEM RESULTS
• Scanning electron microscope test was performed to determine the
compatibility and homogeneous dispersion of modifiers in base bitumen.
• Asphalt binder itself is in black color while white patches shows the
presence of modifiers i.e. PE and S.
• As compared with neat bitumen the roughness of surface of sulphur
modified bitumen is more
• The modifiers are compatible with the base bitumen and their dispersion
is homogenous.
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25. Dynamic Shear Rheometer Analysis
• This test is used to check the rheological characteristics of bitumen at
intermediate to high temperatures of 45, 52, 58, 64, 70, 76, and 82.
• Original bitumen complex shear modulus decreases with rise in
temperature, which show increase in binder stiffness.
• Phase angle decreases by adding polyethylene and sulphur into the base
binder.
• Lower the value of CMAI higher the resistance to aging.
• CMAI of both modified bitumen is less than the CMAI of the neat binder
which mean polyethylene and sulphur of high resistance
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26. Dynamic Shear Rheometer Analysis(Contd)
• Phase angle gives viscous behaviour of asphalt.
• PAAI for polyethylene and sulphur modified binder is always greater
than neat binder.
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27. Dynamic Shear Rheometer Analysis(Contd)
Fig.9. dynamic Shear Rheometer
(Source: Rezvani et al.,2015)
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28. Conclusion
• All the physical characteristics of the modified bitumen improved before and
after aging.
• Penetration index increased by 10% for Polyethylene modified binder and 36%
for Sulphur modification which indicate better resistance against thermal
cracking of the pavement at low temperatures, and lower permanent (plastic)
deformation at high temperatures.
• Addition of Polyethylene and Sulphur into base binder is a Physical process.
• Aging resistance of the modified binder improved which is indicated by
decrease in Carbonyl and Sulfoxide index.
• SEM analysis shows the compatibility of modifiers and their homogenous
dispersion in base binder.
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29. References
1. Tauste, R., F. Moreno-Navarro, M. Sol-Sánchez, and M.C. Rubio-Gámez. “Understanding the
Bitumen Ageing Phenomenon: A Review.” Construction and Building Materials 192 (December
2018): 593–609. doi:10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2018.10.169.
2. Çalışıcı, Mustafa, Metin Gürü, M. Kürşat Çubuk, and Ömer Faruk Cansız. “Improving the Aging
Resistance of Bitumen by Addition of Polymer Based Diethylene Glycol.” Construction and
Building Materials 169 (April 2018): 283–288. doi:10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2018.03.018.
3. Diab, Aboelkasim, Mahmoud Enieb, and Dharamveer Singh. “Influence of Aging on Properties of
Polymer-Modified Asphalt.” Construction and Building Materials 196 (January 2019): 54–65.
doi:10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2018.11.105.
4. Diab, Aboelkasim, Mahmoud Enieb, and Dharamveer Singh. “Influence of Aging on Properties of
Polymer-Modified Asphalt.” Construction and Building Materials 196 (January 2019): 54–65.
doi:10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2018.11.105.
5. Ragni, Davide, Gilda Ferrotti, Xiaohu Lu, and Francesco Canestrari. “Effect of Temperature and
Chemical Additives on the Short-Term Ageing of Polymer Modified Bitumen for WMA.” Materials &
Design 160 (December 2018): 514–526. doi:10.1016/j.matdes.2018.09.042.
6. Porto, Michele, Paolino Caputo, Valeria Loise, Shahin Eskandarsefat, Bagdat Teltayev, and Cesare
Oliviero Rossi. “Bitumen and Bitumen Modification: A Review on Latest Advances.” Applied Sciences
9, no. 4 (February 20, 2019): 742. doi:10.3390/app9040742
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30. THANK YOU
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