Emirates Journal for Engineering Research, 14 (2), 91-95 (2009)

(Regular Paper)

EVALUATION OF RUTTING POTENTIAL FOR CRUMB RUBBER

MODIFIED BITUMEN IN ASPHALTIC MIXES
S. Shankar and C.S.R.K. Prasad
National Institute of Technology, Transportation Division, Department of Civil Engineering,
A.P, WarangalIndia-506004.
Email: shreebunty@gmail.com
(Received January 2009 and accepted September 2009)

.

.
.
.( CRMB 55)

.( 70/60)
.( 5.67 )
" " ,
.
Flexible pavements with bituminous surfacing are widely used in India. The high traffic intensity
in terms of commercial vehicles, over loading of trucks and significant variations in daily and
seasonal temperature of the pavement have been responsible for earlier development of distress
symptoms. Investigations in India and abroad have revealed that the properties of bitumen and
bituminous mixes can be improved to meet the basic requirements. In the present study, an
attempt has been made to use crumb rubber modified bitumen (CRMB 55) which is blended at
specified temperatures. Marshalls mix design was carried out by changing the modified bitumen
content at constant optimum rubber content and subsequent tests have been performed to
determine the different mix design characteristics and for conventional bitumen (60/70) also. This
has resulted in much improved characteristics when compared with straight run bitumen and that
too at reduced optimum modified binder content (5.67%). Specimens for the conduct of wheel
tracking test have been prepared using simulated roller compaction equipment and analysis has
been carried out to determine the expected number of standard wheel repetitions for both
conventional and modified bituminous concrete mixes.
Keywords: Pavement, Bitumen, Bituminous surfacing, Crumb rubber, Traffic intensity.

1. INTRODUCTION
Poor performance of bituminous mixtures under
increased traffic volume and heavier axle load has led
to the increased use and development of modified
binders. In India, it is estimated that over 33 lakh
kilometers of road exists and out of which of which
around 50% is surfaced [1-2]. Road transport has
acquired dominant position amongst the various
modes of transportation system due to its flexibility,
door-to-door service, reliability and speed. In India,
road transport carries close to 90% of passenger traffic
and 70% of freight transport [3]. In India, majority of
the pavements are bituminous since they consume
lesser initial cost when compared with rigid pavements
i.e. cement concrete pavements. Investigations in India
and countries abroad have revealed that properties of
bitumen and bituminous mixes can be improved to

meet requirements of pavement with the incorporation

of certain additives or blend of additives [4]. These
additives are called Bitumen Modifiers and the
bitumen premixed with these modifiers is known as
modified bitumen. Modified bitumen is expected to
give higher life of surfacing (up to 100%) depending
upon degree of modification and type of additives and
modification process used. Different types of
modifiers used are Polymers, Natural Rubber and
Crumb Rubber

2. SCOPE OF RESEARCH
There have been numerous research studies on
bitumen as paving material. The bitumen undergoes
the different changes (Low temperature cracking,
fatigue cracking ageing and water receptivity) due to
high traffic intensity, high axle loads, variation in
91

S. Shankar and C.S.R.K. Prasad

traffic
and
seasonal
temperature
variation.
Considerable research has been carried out by using
crumb rubber as bitumen modifier since it has
improved the characteristics of binder as well as mix.
With this back ground the present study was taken up
to investigate the effect of the crumb rubber modified
bitumen (CRMB 55), obtained through wet process, on
the performance of modified bituminous concrete mix.
To estimate the optimum binder content of crumb
rubber modified bituminous concrete mix and
Conventional bituminous concrete mix through the
conduct of Marshalls mix design and compare the
results. To carry out the wheel tracking experiment
with simulated wheel arrangement (5.6kg/cm2 contact
pressure) for a specified number of repetitions (20000)
on both conventional and crumb rubber modified
bituminous concrete mixes with a view to study the
rutting potentiality of both. To carry out analytical
study with a view to study the failure propagation
patterns of both the conventional and crumb rubber
modified bituminous concrete.

3. BACKGROUND
Highway engineers around the world have tried to
incorporate scrap tire rubber in asphalt pavements
since 1950s. It was not until 1960s that a formulation
was discovered that was successful. Charles H. Mac
Donald worked with city of phoenix and he has
introduced his thought on asphalt-rubber for the US
Bureau of public roads [5]. He used this material for
pothole repair. By 1968, the Arizona Department of
Transportation began numerous and diverse research
and development projects involving asphalt rubber
under the direction of Gene Morris, the director of
Arizona Transportation Research centre. However, the
progress of crumb rubber modification of bitumen was
not successful till 1975 and during 1988 the worldwide
acceptance of crumb rubber modified bitumen was
observed with the official definition published by
American Society for Testing of Materials (ASTM)
[6-7]
.Major leap was taken in this area through
Construction Productivity Advancement Research
Program taken up during 1995 by US Army Corps of
Engineers and other private agencies. Further, several
states started using the crumb rubber modified bitumen
in actual practice by the year 1995. Combining all the
research activities carried out before, California and
Florida Transportation Research Institutes have issued
detailed guidelines for use of CRMB. Indian based
Research Organizations too had their share of
experience in this emerging field with experiments
carried out by premiere organizations like IRC, CRRI
etc since 1960s and have recommended the use of
crumb rubber modified bitumen in the ongoing
National Highway Development Programs of NorthSouth, East-West corridor and Golden Quadrilateral
and several other state highway projects. With a view
to aid in choosing a particular type of modifier for a

92

given situation, a detailed review has been made with

regard to different modifiers [8-11].Commonly used
polymers are Ethyl Vinyl Acetate Copolymer (EVC)
Styrene Butadiene-Styrene (SBS) Aromatic Resin.

4. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
Detailed laboratory experiments were conducted on all
the aggregate, conventional bitumen (60/70) and
Crumb rubber modified bitumen (CRMB-55), to find
out the individual properties of the materials i.e.
Abrasion, attrition, crushing, impact, and shape test,
and Penetration, Softening point, Ductility and
Viscosity respectively. Using the Marshal Mix design
characterization of conventional bituminous mix
(60/70) for dense bituminous mix (DBM), Semi dense
bituminous mix (SDBC) and bituminous concrete
(BC) were carried out and comparison was made for
conventional bitumen mix properties with crumb
rubber modified bitumen and Wheel Tracking test
sample for conventional bituminous concrete mix
(60/70) and for (CRMB -55). Finally detailed analysis
was carried out for development of Prediction models
for permanent deformation characteristics and
Comparative assessment was made between
conventional bituminous mix and Crumb rubber
modified bituminous mix.

5. SAMPLE PREPARATION
To control the gradation of the test specimens, all
aggregates were separated into the various sized
factions and stored in metal buckets. The quantity of
aggregate is taken so as to produce a batch, which will
result in compacted specimen of 63.5 mm height. The
compaction was done by the standard hammer of 4.5
kg weight falling from 45.7 cm height by giving 75
blows on each of the face .The sample was cured for
24 hours at room temperature before being extracted
using standard extraction procedure. Three specimens
were prepared for DBM, SDBC and BC for grade II
aggregate gradations recommended by MORTH
(2001) at all the Bitumen Content at an increment of
0.5%. Optimum Binder Content (OBC) has been
obtained by taking average of the bitumen contents at
which the mix has maximum Bulk Density, maximum
Stability and 4% design Air Voids. Trials on Grade-II
Conventional Bitumen mix have resulted in Optimum
Bitumen Content of DBM is 5.9%, OBC of SDBC is
5.6% and Bituminous Concrete is 5.7%. In addition to
the OBC, other requisite parameters have been
computed and are summarized in tables 1to 4.

6. ANALYSIS AND DISCUSSION

It becomes imperative to test individual material
properties before they are being used for preparing the
Bituminous Concrete mix. All the individual materials
viz: Aggregate, Conventional Bitumen and Crumb

Emirates Journal for Engineering Research, Vol. 14, No.2, 2009

Evaluation of Rutting Potential Crumb Rubber Modified Bitumen in Asphaltic Mixes

Rubber Modified Bitumen are being subjected to

number of specified tests as per the relevant IS code of
practice. Aggregate is the granular material used in
bitumen concrete mixtures, which make up 90-95% of
mixture weight and provide most of the load bearing
characteristics of the mix. Therefore aggregate
properties like aggregate crushing

value (21%) abrasion (30%) Attrition (20%) and

Impact value (24%) and combined flakiness and
elongination (16%), and properties like Penetration
(66,58), Ductility (80,47), Softening point (42,52oC),
Specific gravity (1.05, 1.13) and flash & fire point
(320oC, 360oC, 280oC, 320oC) for Conventional
Bitumen (60/70) and Crumb Rubber Modified
Bitumen (CRMB 55) respectively.

Table 1. Conventional (60/70) Dense Bituminous Macadam Mix Properties

Bitumen
(%)
4.5
5.0
5.5
6.0

Weight of the
sample (gm)
Air
Water
1186
1187
1190
1188

Bulk Density
(Gb)(g/cc)

682
686
690

2.35
2.37
2.38

686

2.37

% Air Voids
(Va)

VMA

VFB

5.87
4.53
3.39
3.25

13.52
14.23
14.42
14.64

63.89
71.95
73.08
74.09

Marshal
Stability (kg)
1361
1423
1497
1482

Flow
value
(mm)
2.3
2.4
2.6
2.7

Table 2. Conventional (60/70) Semi Dense Bituminous Concrete Mix Properties

Bitumen (%)
5.0
5.5
6.0
6.5
7.0

Weight of the
sample (Gm)
Air

Water

1180
1177
1184
1184
1186

675
676
683
680
678

Bulk Density
(Gb)(g/cc)

% Air Voids
(Va)

VMA

VFB

Marshal Stability
(kg)

Flow
value
(mm)

2.34
2.35
2.36
2.35
2.33

5.83
4.63
3.36
3.25
3.16

13.24
13.48
14.18
14.45
14.80

66.28
73.25
74.52
72.17
73.52

1075
1106
1149
1168
1150

2.3
2.5
2.8
2.9
3.2

Table 3. Conventional (60/70) Bituminous Concrete Mix Properties

Bitumen
(%)
5.00
5.50
6.00
6.50
7.00

Weight of the
sample (Gm)
Air
Water
1181
1188
1186
1176
1190

Bulk Density
(Gb)(g/cc)

% Air Voids
(Va)

VMA

VFB

Marshal Stability
(kg)

Flow
value
(mm)

2.33
2.34
2.33
2.32
2.31

5.06
4.19
3.67
3.43
3.31

12.84
13.45
13.86
14.28
14.60

69.33
75.05
74.90
73.20
72.73

1161.60
1260.28
1324.00
1286.00
1260.00

2.8
3.3
3.6
3.8
3.9

675
680
678
670
675

Table 4. Over view properties of 60/70 DBm,60/70 SDBC and 60/70 BC

Bitumen (%)
5.93
6
5.76

Wt (Gm)
1185
1184
1187

686
683
689

d (g/cc)
2.37
2.36
2.34

% Air Voids
(Va)

VMA

VFB

Marshal
Stability (kg)

Flow
value
(mm)

Type

3.3
3.36
3.92

14.5
14.2
14.11

70.2
72.5
73.1

1496
1149
1362

2.6
2.8
2.9

60/70 DBM
60/70SDBC
60/70BC

6.1 Marshalls mix design for CRMB

Crumb Rubber Modified bitumen was taken at
different bitumen Samples were prepared as per the
MORTH (2001) specifications as 3 samples for each
bitumen content at an increments of 0.5 % for DBM

Emirates Journal for Engineering Research, Vol. 14, No.2, 2009

SDBC and BC. Each of the above samples has been

tested after extracting and keeping the samples in the
water bath at a constant temperature of 600C for 30
minutes. The comparison of conventional bitumen
(60/70) and crumb rubber modified bitumen are
summarized and are presented in tables 5- 8.

93

S. Shankar and C.S.R.K. Prasad

Table 5. CRMB 55 Dense Bituminous Macadam Mix Properties

Weight of the
sample (Gm)
Air
Water

Bitumen
(%)
4.5
5.0
5.5
6.0

1187
1197
1182
1188

Bulk Density
(Gb)(g/cc)

% Air Voids
(Va)

VMA

VFB

Marshal
Stability
(kg)

Flow
value
(mm)

2.37
2.38
2.39
2.38

5.94
5.11
3.99
3.68

13.41
13.77
14.89
14.71

63.83
69.54
73.38
74.24

1408
1475
1385
1347

2.2
2.3
2.5
3.7

687
690
688
690

Table 6. CRMB 55 Semi Dense Bituminous Concrete Mix Properties

Bitumen
(%)

Weight of the sample (Gm)

5.0
5.5
6.0
6.5
7.0

Air

Water

Bulk Density
(Gb)(g/cc)

1180
1174
1175
1176
1175

680
683
681
680
678

2.36
2.39
2.38
2.37
2.36

% Air Voids
(Va)

VMA

VFB

Marshal
Stability
(kg)

Flow
value
(mm)

5.88
4.04
3.94
3.65
3.33

13.45
13.93
13.93
14.76
14.56

66.30
70.14
72.01
72.53
73.96

1111
1198
1186
1149
1139

2.3
2.6
3.1
3.4
3.6

Table 7. CRMB 55 Bituminous Concrete Mix Properties

Bitumen
(%)

Weight of the sample (Gm)

5.0
5.5
6.0
6.5
7.0

Air

Water

1180
1190
1185
1190
1187

675
686
682
684
680

Bulk Density
(Gb)(g/cc)

% Air Voids
(Va)

VMA

VFB

Marshal
Stability
(kg)

Flow
value
(mm)

2.34
2.36
2.36
2.35
2.34

5.89
4.38
3.99
3.57
3.42

13.35
13.11
13.85
14.55
14.48

66.07
74.40
74.65
75.77
75.47

1309
1416
1401
1361
1298

2.4
2.7
2.8
3.3
3.6

Table 8. Comparison of Conventional Bitumen (60/70) and Crumb Rubber Modified Bitumen (CRMB 55)
Type of Bitumen

Type of Mix

Bulk Density (g/cc)

% Air Voids

VMA

VFB

Conventional
Bitumen (60/70)

DBM
SDBC
BC
DBM
SDBC
BC

2.37
2.36
2.34
2.39
2.38
2.37

3.3
3.36
3.92
4.18
3.98
3.88

14.5
14.2
14.11
14.82
14.32
14.05

70.2
72.5
73.1
72.3
73.2
74.2

CRMB 55

6.2 Rut Depth Analysis

Permanent deformation observations for both crumb
rubber modified bituminous concrete and conventional
bituminous concrete have been plotted and presented
in Figures 1 and 2. Two different equations have been
developed, for standard wheel repetitions 0 to 20000.
These equations have been utilized to extrapolate the
growth trends of rut development with increasing
wheel load repetitions till failure criteria of 1 inch rut
formation. It is observed that the number of load

94

Marshal
Stability
(Kg)
1496
1149
1362
1452
1192
1437

Flow in
(mm)
2.6
2.8
2.9
2.11
2.9
3.2

repetitions for failure criteria is 319000 and number of

wheel repetitions for failure in case of crumb rubber
modified bituminous concrete is 408000. This clearly
underlines the improved rut resisting characteristics of
the crumb rubber modified bituminous concrete and
that too at the reduced bitumen content by almost.
Hence it can be concluded that with the use of crumb
rubber modified bitumen in bituminous concrete, the
optimum binder content can be reduced and in this
process there is no danger of loss of strength
characteristics from the point of view of stability and

Emirates Journal for Engineering Research, Vol. 14, No.2, 2009

Evaluation of Rutting Potential Crumb Rubber Modified Bitumen in Asphaltic Mixes

rut resistance. The developed prediction models are as

follows for conventionnel bituminons mix
Y = 0.0071X + 280.9

3.

Marshalls mix design conducted on crumb

rubber modified bituminous concrete has
resulted in 5.6% optimum binder content with
Marshalls stability value (600C30 min. of
1437kgs), flow value of 3.2 mm (within 2 to 4
mm range), VMA of 14.05 (Range 13-15), VFB
of 74.2 (Range 65-75) and volume of voids of
3.88% (within design air voids range of 3-5%)
indicating the acceptability of the crumb rubber
modified bituminous concrete mix as per
MORTH recommendations.

4.

With the straight run bitumen (5.76%) the

modified bitumen has resulted in the bituminous
concrete mix having better Marshalls stability
value (1437kgs as against 1362kgs) and
improved rut resistance to tune of 27.89% as
against straight run bituminous concrete mix.

(6.1)

R 2 = 0.909

and for Crumb Rubber Modified Bituminous Mix

Y = 0.0056 X + 259.67

(6.2)

R 2 = 0.820

where
Y = Number of repetitions, X = Vertical deformation.
n = Number of data points, k = Number of variables
420
Bitumen6070
CRMB55

400

Deformation in 0.01mm

380
360
340

REFERENCES

320
300

1.

280
260
240
220
200
0

5000

10000

15000

20000

No of revolution

Fig1: Rutdepth variations (Observed)

3500

Deformation in 0.01mm

3000

Bitumen6070
CRMB55

2500
2000
1500
1000
500
0
0

100000

200000

300000

400000

No of revolution

.
Fig2: Rutdepth variations (Predicted)

7. CONCLUSION
Based on this study the following can be concluded:
1.

2.

By using the crumb rubber modified bitumen,

penetration value had come down from 66 to 58
while softening point has improved from 420oC
to 520oC.
There is a considerable reduction in the
Ductility from 80cm to 47cm, indicating
improvement in individual characteristics of
bitumen.

Emirates Journal for Engineering Research, Vol. 14, No.2, 2009

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