Mechanical Performance of SMA Mixtures Manufactured with Reclaimed Geomembrane–Modified Binders

Abstract

Given the high costs associated with using polymer-modified bitumen in asphalt pavement for roads, this research set out to develop more competitive modifiers that are able to offer environmental advantages through incorporating waste polymers such as bitumen modifiers. For this purpose, the present study assessed the viability of using reclaimed geomembrane modified binder (RGMB) for use in asphalt mixtures. The impact of using RGMB as binder modifier on the behavior of stone mastic asphalt (SMA) is assessed by testing this mixture and comparing its performance with a control mixture containing a conventional binder without RGMB, and with one obtained using a commercial polymer-modified binder, the latter both with and without fibers. The tests included wheel tracking, binder drainage, moisture susceptibility, and stiffness modulus test. The results show that using the binder produced with reclaimed geomembranes has a number of positive effects on the properties of SMA, producing higher resistance to moisture damage, higher resistance to plastic deformations, and lower binder drain-down.