Masterbatch Natural Rubber—Innovative Asphalt Cement Additive for Sustainable Flexural Pavements

Chakkrid Yeanyong, Suksun Horpibulsuk (), Apichat Suddeepong, Apinun Buritatum, Teerasak Yaowarat, Kongsak Akkharawongwhatthana, Veena Phunpeng, Artit Udomchai and Menglim Hoy
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Chakkrid Yeanyong: Center of Excellence in Innovation for Sustainable Infrastructure Development, Nakhon Ratchasima 30000, Thailand
Suksun Horpibulsuk: Center of Excellence in Innovation for Sustainable Infrastructure Development, Nakhon Ratchasima 30000, Thailand
Apichat Suddeepong: Center of Excellence in Innovation for Sustainable Infrastructure Development, Nakhon Ratchasima 30000, Thailand
Apinun Buritatum: Center of Excellence in Innovation for Sustainable Infrastructure Development, Nakhon Ratchasima 30000, Thailand
Teerasak Yaowarat: Center of Excellence in Innovation for Sustainable Infrastructure Development, Nakhon Ratchasima 30000, Thailand
Kongsak Akkharawongwhatthana: Center of Excellence in Innovation for Sustainable Infrastructure Development, Nakhon Ratchasima 30000, Thailand
Veena Phunpeng: Center of Excellence in Innovation for Sustainable Infrastructure Development, Nakhon Ratchasima 30000, Thailand
Artit Udomchai: Center of Excellence in Innovation for Sustainable Infrastructure Development, Nakhon Ratchasima 30000, Thailand
Menglim Hoy: Center of Excellence in Innovation for Sustainable Infrastructure Development, Nakhon Ratchasima 30000, Thailand

Sustainability, 2024, vol. 16, issue 22, 1-17

Abstract: The mechanical performance of Masterbatch Natural Rubber (MNR)-modified asphalt concrete (MNR-AC) was investigated and is presented in this paper. When compared to conventional asphalt concrete (AC), MNR-AC exhibits significantly superior performance across key mechanical parameters, including Marshall stability, indirect tensile strength (ITS), resilient modulus (IT Mr), indirect tensile fatigue life (ITFL), and rutting resistance. The most pronounced enhancements are observed at the optimal dry rubber to asphalt cement (r/b) ratio of 3%, at which MNR-AC demonstrates peak performance in all evaluated tests. The fatigue distress models for MNR-AC and AC reveal distinct logarithmic relationships, with an intersection point occurring at an r/b ratio of approximately 3%. This suggests that MNR-AC with an r/b ratio of 3% or less exhibits a markedly superior fatigue life compared to conventional AC under equivalent applied-stress conditions. MNR offers significant practical advantages over liquid natural rubber, including more consistent mixing, and simplified storage and transportation, positioning it as a promising and sustainable advancement in pavement material technology.

Keywords: masterbatch natural rubber; asphalt concrete; fatigue model; rutting failure; resilient properties (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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