Compatibility of Plastomeric Modified Bituminous Blends: Its Effect on the Performance Behavior of Modified Bituminous Mixture

This paper present a part of research study conducted to investigate the effect of compatibility of polymer bitumen blend on the performance behavior of the well graded bituminous concrete mixture. Bituminous mixture was prepared by using 80/100 Pen bitumen for control mix, while polyethylene modified mixture was prepared by blending linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE) with 80/100 Penbitumen. The concentration of polymer in the blend was kept at 1, 2 and 3 % by weight of bitumen content. The compatibility of polymer bitumen blend as revealed by morphological analysis using transmission electron microscopy (TEM) shows that as the concentration of polymer in bitumen increases the formation of polymer network was observed. It was found that at higher polymer concentration formation of polymer bitumen network considered responsible for improved performance which was also confirmed by dynamic creep results of the modified bituminous samples.