Effect of Crumb Rubber on Properties of Bitumen of Grade 60/70

Abstract

With the rise in population in Pakistan, the number of vehicles is also increasing, these increasing number of vehicles causing problems for existing road structures in terms of distresses, failures and environment in terms of pollutant gases and landfills. The purpose of this study is to cater both the problems, i.e., structural and environmental. The study covers the use of crumb rubber which is obtained from waste rubber tires of vehicles, in bitumen Grade 60/70 of Attock oil refinery, so that properties of bitumen can be enhanced. Crumb rubber was ground and mixed in bitumen at different percentages for testing softening point, Ductility, penetration and flash and fire point. Results indicated that addition of crumb rubber enhanced different properties i.e. reduced penetration, increased softening point and flash and fire point, reduced ductility.

Keywords: distresses, crumb rubber, flash point