Performance characteristics of fiber modified hot mix asphalt

A mixture of polypropylene and aramid fibers was used in this study to evaluate the performance characteristics of a modified asphalt mixture. A conventional dense-graded hot mix asphalt (HMA) used in Sao Paulo, Brazil was used. The laboratory experimental program included the evaluation of: resistance of compacted hot mix asphalt (HMA) to moisture-induced damage, resilient modulus, dynamic modulus; flow number test; fatigue by flexural bending, and fracture energy using the semi-circular test. Two asphalt mixtures were used in the laboratory program: a control HMA with no fibers, and a fiber reinforced HMA, which contained the fibers. The data was used to compare the performance of the fiber modified mixture to the control. The results showed that the fibers improved the mechanical properties of the control hot mix asphalt. The use of polypropylene and aramid fibers in HMA could enhance the performance of asphalt pavements against common distresses as rutting, raveling, fatigue and reflective cracking.