Characterization of polymer modified Gulf asphalts

The rheological properties of polymer modified Arab asphalts were character ized using both routine test methods, such as penetration and softening poi nt, and more rigorous methods, which included low temperature stiffness mea surements using a bending beam rheometer, and dynamic mechanical analysis u sing dynamic shear rheometer. HP-GPC method of analysis was used to produce profiles of the molecular size distribution of the modified asphalts. Mode ls were built to predict the rheological and performance-based properties f rom the HP-GPC profiles. The results indicated that polymer modification is capable and effective in improving the neat Arab asphalt binders rheologic al properties to meet and satisfy the performance requirements of the Gulf countries.