Abstract:
With the increase of traffic volume and traffic loads, polymer modified
bitumen has been widely used in Southeast Asia (SEA) region under Superpave
Performance grading specification. Because of the tropical climatic in the SEAregion
no freezing air temperature, the used PG grade specification in the SEA region only
included the high temperature grade requirement without the low temperature grade.
Consequently, only the DSR (Dynamic Shear Rheometer) and RTFO (Rolling Thin
Film Oven) are used bymost of the local PMB producers and test companies without
BBR (Bending Beam Rheometer) and PAV (Pressure Aging Vessel). This paper
reviews the development of Superpave Performance Grading system in the US and
its application. The constraints and limitations of the existing Performance Grading
system used in SEA region have been investigated and are explained. Combined with
the development of latest research for polymer modified bitumen and its test method,
a PG-based polymer modified bitumen specification is proposed at the end of this
paper, which is more suitable for the climatic conditions and existing equipment
setups in the SEA region.
