Comparison of preparation conditions of crumb rubber modification in laboratory and asphalt plant

Bituminous hot mixtures have a limited service life due to the traffic loads and corrosive environmental influences they are subjected to during their service life. In recent years, the process of modifying bitumen to increase its service life has become increasingly common. The use of crumb rubber (CR) as an additive in bituminous hot mixtures has been shown to have positive effects, such as reduced maintenance and repair costs in the long term, a reduction in pavement thickness, and a decrease in resource use. CR, which is highly elastic, has been used in conjunction with different polymers in previous studies, and its effect on bituminous hot mixtures has been extensively investigated. The preparation of bituminous hot mixtures is carried out in asphalt plant facilities following specific procedures. The bitumen used in the mixture undergoes various processes, such as heating, additive addition, and mixing, which have a significant impact on its rheological properties. To ensure the economical use of resources and optimal performance improvement, it is essential to determine the equivalent effects of these processes on bitumen under laboratory conditions and to establish an appropriate preparation procedure. Additionally, it is crucial to optimize the production process of bituminous hot mixtures and to study the impact of these preparation conditions on the properties of bitumen. In this master's thesis, the effects of various combinations of factors, such as mixing speed and duration of crumb rubber (CR) blending on bituminous binder, will be investigated and compared with modified bitumen from the plant facility.