Development of Plug Joint with Polymer-Modified Rubber Asphalt as Filling Material

• Published in: Polymers 2023-11, Vol.15 (21), p.4256
• Main Authors: Kim, Kyung-Nam, Kim, Yeong-Min, Le, Tri Ho Minh
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adhesion; Asphalt mixes; Asphalt pavements; Binders (materials); Bridges; Butadiene; Civil engineering; Construction; Construction industry; Deformation; Durability; Elastic recovery; Elasticity; Expansion joints; Fillers; Infrastructure; Mastic asphalt; Moisture resistance; Plugs; Polyethylene; Polymer industry; Polymers; Rheology; Rubber; Rubber modified asphalt; Sealing compounds; Service life; Styrenes; Surface layers; Temperature; Traffic volume; Workability
• ISSN: 2073-4360; 2073-4360
• DOI: 10.3390/polym15214256

Rising traffic volume, heavy loads, and construction activities have raised concerns about expansion joint device damage. This study focuses on developing an innovative expansion joint using polymer-modified rubber asphalt as the filling material to enhance its service life. Styrene–butadiene–styrene (SBS) emerged as a suitable modifier for rubber-modified asphalt, significantly improving elasticity and adhesion. Through the strategic combination of 3- and 2-block linear SBS, the elasticity and adhesion properties were significantly improved, resulting in the formulation of a well-suited polymer-modified rubber asphalt binder. The developed asphalt binder exhibits impressive elastic recovery (61.1% to 66.1%), surpassing commercial products, with enhanced constructability and workability (15% to 21% viscosity reduction). The carefully engineered mastic asphalt mixture showcases self-leveling characteristics at a moderate 210 °C, addressing historical constructability challenges. Settlement is 40% less than traditional hot mix asphalt for surface layers, with improved moisture and stripping resistance, enhancing existing asphalt plug joint durability and workability. Collectively, this novel mixture, comprising polymer-modified rubber and mastic asphalt, showcases the potential to enhance the durability of existing asphalt plug joints while ensuring superior constructability and workability.