TESTING AND APPRAISAL OF POLYMER-MODIFIED ROAD BITUMENS - STATE-OF-THE-ART

Polymers for road applications and their effects on functional propert ies (permanent deformation, fatigue cracking, low temperature cracking , stripping, wear resistance and ageing) of asphalt pavements are desc ribed. The state of the art in test methods for polymer modified bitum ens is presented. The methods are classified as standardized or non-st andardized. A general description of each non-standardized test proced ure is given. Current or proposed specification models for polymer mod ified bitumens are summarized. The present situation regarding test me thods and specifications of polymer modified bitumens and the need for further development are discussed.