DYNAMIC TESTS ON ASPHALT MIXTURES WITH POLYPROPYLENE FIBERS

Abstract

The asphalt mixtures with polypropylene fibers are a SMA (stone mastic asphalt) asphalt mixtures – a blend with crushed stone skeleton, with voids filled with mortar with a higher bitumen percent. This concept is based on achieving high stability and durability. In Romania this kind of mixtures is noted by MASF. The polypropylene fibers are used as additions in asphalt mixture, like other fibers (e.g. cellulose fibers), 0.3 – 0.5 % in content. The aim of this paper is to compare, by laboratory studies, the contributions of polypropylene fiber and cellulose fiber on behavior of asphalt mixtures to creep and fatigue damages. The laboratory tests taken into account are Marshall test, cyclic compression test, indirect tension test, four point bending test and wheel tracking test. The study was carried out in Roads Laboratory of Technical University of Civil Engineering of Bucharest and the results are presented in tables and graphs.