Better Roads Digital Magazine
Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/96390
RoadWorks by John Latta jlatta@randallreilly.com Inside the highway and bridge industries Mixes and Ground Tire Rubber A study from the National Center for Asphalt Technology (NCAT) confirms that ambient and cryogenic ground rubber provides performance benefits in asphalt and the asphalt manufacturing process. The study, Effect of Ground Tire Rubber Particle Size and Grinding Method on Asphalt Binder Properties, also indicates that ground tire rubber (GTR) should be considered an appropriate asphalt binder modifier to achieve critical high-temperature performance in asphalt mixtures. The study evaluates the role of GTR in asphalt mixture performance and finds that GTR, whether cryogenic or ambient, does not impact the performance of the rubber material or, ultimately, the asphalt. It was conducted at NCAT���s facility in Auburn, Ala., with the assistance of partners Blacklidge Emulsions, Lehigh Technologies and Liberty Tire Recycling. Richard Willis, NCAT assistant research professor, is hopeful that the study findings accelerate the use of sustainable material in highway construction. ���By increasing the use of ground tire rubber,��� Willis says, ���asphalt producers will benefit from price stability as compared to more volatile oil prices which impact the cost of traditional, oil-based polymers. Importantly, ground tire rubber produced cryogenically or ambiently provides high performance and cost benefits in asphalt.��� Rubber particulate modification of binders has been used throughout years in various locations. As oil prices have risen, the number of states reassessing the potential of GTR mixtures has started to increase, but little research has been published characterizing the influence of particle size, grinding technique and blending methodology. [See the story on page 33 on how rubber in asphalt can help quieten road noise.] Peter Wu, P.E., Ph.D., from the Office of Materials and Research at the ���If you can park free at work, it���s an Georgia Department invitation to drive to work alone. And of Transalmost everybody who does drive to portation work has this invitation.��� - Donald (GDOT) believes UCLA that GTR SayWhat? 4 December 2012 Better Roads provides long-term supply and is ���a cost-effective and competitive way to increase the robustness of asphalt, while also serving as a productive outlet for end-of-life tires. Wu says rubber-modified asphalt can assist with this while also contributing to the state���s sustainability efforts. GDOT recently amended the state���s road construction specifications to include recycled rubber as an alternative to oil-derived polymers. The NCAT study indicates that surface area and particle size of the rubbers had the most influence on the modified asphalt binder ��� smaller particle size, which equates to larger surface area, provides better performance. Based on the study results, researchers also recommend the following: considered an appropriate asphalt binder modifier to achieve critical high-temperature performance in mixtures. formed equally in terms of binder modification and separation. guish between the two types of materials when the GTR is 30 mesh or smaller. priate level of loading for asphalt binders. For the full study go to www.ncat.us/files/reports/2012/rep12-09. pdf or the Better Roads Facebook page at www.facebook.com/BetterRoadsMagazine.