Characterisation of complex polymer modified bitumen with rheological parameters

Abstract

The use of modifiers for bituminous binders has become common practice to enhance the performances of asphalt materials. As a result, the binder becomes more complex, with various phase morphologies. Conventional testing methods may not always be suitable. As example, the European standardisation committee is looking at different ways to characterise Polymer modified Bitumen. The RILEM Technical Committee 272-PIM ‘Phase and Interphase behaviour of innovative bituminous Materials’, with its Task Group TG1, is evaluating different test methods for complex binders. The aim is to evaluate how these tests could address complex bituminous binders. An inter-laboratory programme was conducted with 17 laboratories. Seven binders were evaluated; two were neat bitumen and two PmB. In addition to the conventional property measurements, an extensive effort was made on investigating various rheological parameters obtained from Dynamic Shear Rheometer measurements. Some initial results are presented and discussed in view of the future revision of the European product standard EN 14023 for PmB.