Effect of high density polyethylene on the fatigue and rutting performance of hot mix asphalt – a laboratory study

Abstract

The present study investigates the potential use of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) on performance characteristics of asphalt mixtures such as fatigue cracking and rutting as major distresses of hot mix asphalt (HMA). In order to assess the impact of HDPE as an asphalt binder modifier on the behaviour of HMA, control mixes without HDPE and mixes containing HDPE in dry and wet conditions were tested. The results show that fatigue life is higher in mixtures containing HDPE than those for control mix. Also, HDPE-modified mixtures provide better resistance to rutting due to their higher stiffness. In addition, by increasing the temperature and fatigue life, resistance to permanent deformation of all specimens decreased, where sensitivity to temperature is lower in mixes containing HDPE. On the other hand, results of the laboratory tests indicate that HDPE increases the adhesion between the asphalt binder and the aggregate in the presence of moisture.

Keywords:

• high-density polyethylene
• indirect tensile fatigue
• creep
• rutting
• moisture damage