Characterization of Bituminous Mixes Containing Harder Grade Bitumen

IS:73-2013 specified four grades of bitumen such as VG-10, VG-20, VG-30 and VG-40. Indian refineries are producing only two grades of paving bitumen such as VG-10 and VG-30, which are not adequate for prevailing climate and traffic conditions of India. Recent Indian Road Congress standard (IRC: 37-2002) focus for use of harder grade bitumen for better performance. Therefore, an attempt is made to develop harder grade bitumen by an alternate method to meet the demand of the highway profession. This study deals with laboratory evaluation of binder for SHRP performance characteristics and study of analytical properties of the mixes prepared by new harder grade bitumen. Results of indirect tensile strength, indirect tensile strength ratio, static creep, rutting and resilient modulus are reported in this paper. Results indicate superior performance characteristics of new binder names as VG 50 grade which meets requirement of PG-76-22 as specified in SHRP performance based specification. It is also observed from test results of mixes that thinner layer of bituminous binder course may be serve the intended purpose if VG 50 grade bitumen is used.