M.C. Rubio-Gámez

Use of Reclaimed Geomembranes for Modification of Mechanical Performance of Bituminous Binders

AbstractThe use of modified binders plays a very important role in the construction of more durable pavements. However, the addition of modifiers to the binders could considerably increase their cost, making these materials less competitive. Thus, in recent years, various research studies have been carried out to obtain new modified binders that could lead to an improvement in the mechanical performance of asphalt pavements without a notable increase in their construction costs. To this end, the reuse of wastes and by-products from other industries has been posited as an interesting and sustainable alternative. This study investigates the reuse of scraps from reclaimed geomembranes composed of low-density polyethylene and polyester fibers as modifiers for asphalt binders. For this purpose, different blends of this waste and neat bitumen were manufactured and tested [penetration, softening point, storage stability, frequency sweep, multiple stress creep-recovery (MSCR), and time sweep tests). In addition, ...

The Use of Deconstructed Tires as Elastic Elements in Railway Tracks

Elastic elements such as rail pads, under sleeper pads and under ballast mats are railway components that allow for a reduction in track deterioration and vibrations. And they are furthermore commonly used to obtain an optimal vertical stiffness of the infrastructure. However, the use of elastomeric materials can increase construction costs and the consumption of raw materials. Thus, the utilization of used tire layers offers an alternative to reuse an abundant waste reducing the cost of elastic elements. In addition, an innovator technique allows deconstructing tire layers without grinding up the material, reducing production costs at the same time that tire properties are remained. This research is focused on the study of the viability of developing elastic components from used tire layers by evaluating the influence of thickness, the resistance capacity of the elements and their behavior in a ballast box. Results indicate the ability of tire pads to manufacture elastic elements (rail pads, under sleeper pads and under ballast mats) to be used in railway tracks.

An analysis of the performance of deconstructed tires for use as pads in railroad tracks

The use of end-of-life (EOL) tires is now widespread in civil engineering work. In most cases, the tires are shredded and recycled as crumb rubber. However, this research focuses on an alternate method in which EOL tires were deconstructed to manufacture rail pads. In other words, their outer layer was removed, which made it possible to benefit from the mechanical properties of the tires without having to grind them up. The performance of the recycled tire rubber was analyzed by means of static and dynamic stiffness tests as well as by fatigue tests. The results reflected the long-term performance of the material. Also analyzed was the deterioration of its properties after various thermal and anti-ageing treatments. The results obtained were compared with those of commercial crumb rubber rail pads. The excellent performance of the rail pads made from deconstructed EOL tires shows the high potential of this material for use in railroad tracks.

Tire crumb rubber effect on hot bituminous mixtures fatigue-cracking behaviour

AbstractThe use of tire crumb rubber in road engineering as a modifier of bituminous mixes constitutes one of the revalorization techniques for this waste. The main objective of this research consists of analysing the possible fatigue cracking improvements in the performance of bituminous mixtures containing crumb rubber in comparison to bituminous mixtures manufactured with conventional bitumen and bitumen modified with SBS polymers. For this purpose, four different types of mixes with the same mineral skeleton but different bitumens were studied. The test used to evaluate their behaviour was the UGR-FACT with an additional system for taking pictures, which allows controlling the propagation of the cracks at every moment. The results show that the addition of crumb rubber retards the appearance of cracks; however, once it begins, the damage propagation is faster. Therefore, the fatigue cracking life of mixes with crumb rubber seems considerably longer than the fatigue cracking life of those with conventi...

Mechanical Performance of SMA Mixtures Manufactured with Reclaimed Geomembrane–Modified Binders

AbstractGiven the high costs associated with using polymer-modified bitumen in asphalt pavement for roads, this research set out to develop more competitive modifiers that are able to offer environ...

Reinforced Polyethylene Pond Waste as Antireflective Cracking System in Asphalt Pavements

AbstractFatigue cracking is considered to be one of the main pathologies in asphalt pavements, contributing to the reduction of its service life and generating high costs as a consequence of more m...