The objective of the proposed research project is to determine the feasibility of utilization of laboratory blended ground tire rubber (GTR), terminally-blended GTR following Nevada Department of Transportation's (NDOT’s) specifications, or other crumb-rubber-modified (CRM) products to meet the rheological and engineering properties of asphalt modified binders and mixtures. The test results will be compared to styrene butadiene styrene (SBS) modified binders used in Nevada. The specific objectives of the research project will include the following: (1) Determining initial recommendations for terminally-blended GTR mix design guidelines based on the literature review and basic laboratory test results; (2) Investigating the rheological characteristics of various crumb rubber types (e. g. -30, -40, and terminal blend) at high, intermediate, and low performance temperatures through the performance of American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) standards and any other NDOT’s specification requirements; (3) Investigating the effects of various rubber modifiers on NDOT’s mix design including the mix volumetric properties such as air voids, voids in mineral aggregate (VMA), and optimum asphalt binder ratio specifications from AASHTO and NDOT; (4) Determining the Hveem stability, moisture susceptibility, permanent deformation, dynamic modulus, flow number characteristics of various alternate modifiers with hydrated lime in terms of specifications from AASHTO and NDOT; and (5) Developing recommended specifications for Nevada DOT regarding the utilization of these materials.

The purpose of this research effort was to evaluate the use of warm-mix additives with modified (polymer-modified and terminal blend tire rubber) asphalt mixtures from Nevada and California. This research was completed in two stages: Sasobit and Advera were evaluated in first stage while Evotherm and Foaming were evaluated in second stage. The three main components of the experimental plan include: evaluation of mixture resistivity to moisture damage, pavement performance characteristics of the mixtures, and mechanistic analysis of the mixtures for simulated flexible pavement. The moisture resistivity of all mixtures were checked by Indirect Tensile Strength (ITS), and Dynamic Modulus (E*) tests. Dynamic Modulus Ratio (ECR) and Tensile Strength Ratio (TSR) were computed at multiple Freeze-Thaw (F-T) cycles for further evaluation of moisture sensitivity of mixtures. Flow Number (FN) and Flexural beam fatigue tests were conducted to evaluate the performance characteristics of WMA additives/technology. The terminal blend tire rubber-modified binder with lime treatment works effectively in resisting moisture damage, rutting, and to significantly-reasonably improve the fatigue life of the WMA Evotherm, Foaming, Advera and Sasobit mixtures. Hence, it is the best solution for the design and construction of sustainable asphalt pavements. The use of terminal blend rubberized asphalt binder is an excellent and economical selection in reducing tire waste and environmental impacts.

Several state departments of transportation have recognized the benefits of modified asphalt mixtures in resisting multiple modes of climate- and load-induced distresses in flexible pavements. Throughout the past 50 years, asphalt binders have been modified with various components such as styrene-butadiene-styrene (SBS) polymers, ground tire rubber, chemicals (e.g., acid), recycled engine oils, etc., to achieve the desired properties. Hybrid rubber modified asphalt (HRMA) is an innovative engineered additive derived from ground tire rubber, elastomeric SBS polymers, and additive technologies. HRMA is specifically formulated to improve the high temperature stiffness and elastic properties of performance graded binders and the storage stability of modified binders. The purpose of this study was to document and assess HRMA field trials constructed in Virginia. This study documented and evaluated the constructability and laboratory performance of two plant-produced HRMA mixtures compared with the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) typical SBS-modified surface mixtures as reference mixtures. No changes from routine established practices in terms of surface preparation, production at the plant, or paving operations were reported. The four mixtures were evaluated in terms of durability, dynamic modulus, resistance to rutting, and resistance to cracking using multi-level performance tests (basic, intermediate, advanced). All the derived observations indicated that HRMA modification could be as beneficial as regular SBS modification and could provide similar or better performance properties and characteristics for the resultant mixtures. The study recommends that VDOT consider the use of HRMA surface mixtures as an alternative to the current use of regular SBS-modified surface mixtures on higher-volume facilities. Since the sections evaluated in this study were placed in 2021, the 2-year performance data and corresponding observations are still considered preliminary. Continued monitoring of field performance will be needed to quantify any benefit of HRMA mixtures in comparison with regular SBS-modified surface mixtures. The study also recommends additional field trials with HRMA mixtures for further performance evaluation.

The intention of this research effort is to evaluate the use of warm mix additives with typical polymer-modified and terminal blend tire rubber asphalt mixtures from Nevada and California. The research effort is broken into three phases that are intended to evaluate the impacts of warm mix additives with typical polymer-modified and terminal blend tire rubber asphalt mixtures from Nevada and California: moisture damage, performance characteristics, and mechanistic analysis. In Phase I of this research effort, mixture resistance to moisture damage was evaluated using the indirect tensile test and the dynamic modulus at multiple freeze-thaw cycles. Laboratory testing was conducted to address the following: (1) the impact of warm mix additive and reduced production temperatures on the moisture damage resistance of asphalt mixtures, (2) the impact of residual aggregate moisture on the moisture damage resistance of WMA mixtures, (3) the impact of warm mix additives on the moisture damage resistance of anti-strip treated WMA mixtures, and (3) the impact of long-term aging on strength gain and the moisture damage resistance of WMA mixtures. A total of one aggregate source, four warm mix asphalt technologies (Advera, Sasobit, Revix and Foaming) and three asphalt binder types (neat, polymer-modified and terminal blend tire rubber modified asphalt binders) typically used in both Nevada and California are being evaluated in this study. This thesis will only summarize the test results and findings of the Phase I of the study for two warm-mix additives: Advera and Sasobit. The evaluation of the other two technologies (i.e. Revix and Foaming) as well as the Phase II testing are still in progress and have not been completed.