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Construction
and Building

MATERIALS

Construction and Building Materials 22 (2008) 239249

www.elsevier.com/locate/conbuildmat

Characteristics of elastomeric and plastomeric binders in contact

with natural asphalts
Iswandaru Widyatmoko *, Richard Elliott
Scott Wilson Pavement Engineering, 12 Regan Way, Chetwynd Business Park, Chilwell, Nottingham, NG9 6RZ, UK
Received 1 December 2004; received in revised form 5 August 2005; accepted 13 December 2005
Available online 20 October 2006

Abstract
Bituminous binders are known to have simple rheological properties. Natural asphalts, such as Trinidad Lake Asphalt (TLA) and
Uintaite, are often used for bitumen modication in order to obtain improved performance of the respective asphalt mixture (such as
stiness and deformation resistance). This paper presents the results from a series of assessments of empirical and rheological properties
of bituminous binders, which incorporate natural asphalts (specically TLA and Uintaite) and/or polymer modiers. Binder empirical
properties, measured by penetration and Ring and Ball softening point tests, showed that natural asphalts reduce or increase these
respective empirical values at the level anticipated by conventional blending formulas. However, rheological analysis showed that
the stiening eect caused by addition of natural asphalts, which is normally anticipated in the case of asphalt incorporating unmodied bitumen, took place in a dierent way if a polymer modier was also used.
 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Keywords: Rheology; Viscoelastic response; Complex modulus; Black curve; Polymer; Lake asphalt; Asphaltite; Uintaite

1. Introduction
Bitumen is understood to be A viscous liquid, or a
solid, consisting essentially of hydrocarbons and their
derivatives, which is soluble in trichloroethylene and is substantially non-volatile and softens gradually when heated.
It is black or brown in colour and possesses waterproong
and adhesive properties. It is obtained by renery processes
from petroleum, and is also found as a natural deposit or
as a component of naturally occurring asphalt, in which
it is associated with mineral matter [1]. In addition, bitumen is known to be a colloidal system, where the highest
molecular weight components, i.e. the asphaltene micelles,
are dispersed and the lower molecular weight maltenes (i.e.
aromatics, saturates, resins) are dissolved in the saturated
hydrocarbon mixture [2]. Depending on the degree of aromaticity of the maltenes and the nature and the concentration of the asphaltenes, the micelles in the bitumen may
*

Corresponding author. Tel.: +44 115 907 7017.

E-mail address: daru.widyatmoko@scottwilson.com (I. Widyatmoko).

0950-0618/$ - see front matter  2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
doi:10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2005.12.025

either move freely with respect to each other (sol type) or

by mutual attraction they may form a structure throughout
the bituminous mass (gel type). These colloidal states can
largely reect the rheological properties of bitumen [3].
The rheology itself has been dened as that part of science
that is interested in the description of the mechanical properties of dierent materials under various deformation conditions when they simultaneously perform the capability to
ow and accumulate recoverable deformation [4]; in this
case, the rheological properties of bituminous binders are
known to be simple.
Bitumen rheology can broadly be represented by two
main viscoelastic parameters: complex modulus and phase
angle; these parameters change with temperature and loading time. Complex modulus represents stiness, whilst
phase angle is normally used to demonstrate the viscoelastic response of bituminous materials. Higher values of
phase angle indicate a tendency towards more viscous
behaviour, whilst lower values indicate more elastic
response. It is widely accepted that there is a trade-o
between the low and high temperature performance of

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I. Widyatmoko, R. Elliott / Construction and Building Materials 22 (2008) 239249

bituminous materials, and that bitumen rheology can provide preliminary indications of the resulting bituminous
mixture performance. For unmodied bitumens, elastic
behaviour (lower phase angle) is generally associated with
high stiness and increased brittleness; while the viscous
response (higher phase angle) reects high ductility and
low stiness.
2. Natural asphalts
Natural asphalts can be found in dierent forms, such as
bitumen deposits, lake asphalt or rock asphalt, and in different degrees of purity (i.e. the proportions of bitumen
and other mineral matter).
Naturally occurring bitumen deposits, generically
termed asphaltite, are reported to be found in Argentina,
Barbados and Utah; the most extensively utilised asphaltite
is well known as Uintaite [5]. Uintaite is a pure natural
hydrocarbon (with a purity in excess of 99%) and 70%
asphaltene content [6], which is found in this form only
in the Uintah Basin in Eastern Utah, USA, and is also
known as Gilsonite [7]. It was rst used commercially in
1974 in Oslo, and has since been used in the USA (notably
on the New Jersey Turnpike) and in Germany. Uintaite is a
hard natural bitumen with zero penetration at 25 C and
softening point between 129 and 204 C (typically 176 C
for asphalt paving modication) [6]. It is claimed that its
high nitrogen content gives better adhesion between binder
and aggregate, thus improving stripping and oxidation
resistance. The high asphaltene content and high molecular
weight are thought to function mainly as a solution thickener, giving improved stiness and deformation resistance.
It is claimed that other than increasing the mixing and
compaction temperatures by 1015 C, little alteration to
conventional manufacturing and laying processes are
required for Uintaite modied asphalts.
The most famous source of lake asphalt is the Trinidad
Lake Asphalt (TLA), which occurs naturally in the form of
a 100 acre lake located on the island of Trinidad in the
West Indies, and comprises a mixture of bitumen, water
and very ne mineral matter. Typically, TLA consists of
a mixture of bitumen and minerals of the following composition: soluble bitumen (5355%), mineral matter (3637%)
and other (910%). The bitumen component is made up of
maltenes (6366%) and asphaltenes (3437%). Typically,
rened TLA has a penetration at 25 C of 2 dmm and a
softening point between 93 and 99 C [8]. TLA is well
known for its consistent properties, stability and durability,
and is widely used for bridge and airport applications
where high stability surfacings are required. Typically, a
50:50 blend of TLA and bitumen is adopted in the production of TLA modied mastic asphalt, although this ratio
can be varied to meet particular design specications.
Natural rock asphalts have a completely dierent nature, being formed by the impregnation of oil into limestone, which over time is transformed into bitumen
within the rock. The bitumen content is typically about

1035% by weight of the rock, and usually a chemical or

solvent extraction process is required to commercially
exploit the material. They can be found in France, Switzerland and the Buton Island of Indonesia. A 70:30 blend of
Butonite Asphalt and bitumen is typically used in the production of Butonite mastic asphalt. However, the relative
inconsistency of the bitumen content in the rock asphalt,
in addition to the requirement for extraction, has made
TLA or Uintaite more attractive for asphalt applications.
Consequently, this paper focuses only on the use of Uintaite and TLA for bitumen modication.
3. Composition and properties of mastic binder
Mastic binder has been dened as the bituminous binder used in a mastic asphalt mixture, either with or without
natural asphalt, but prior to the addition of ne and coarse
aggregates. In the work reported here, a total of 14 mastic
binders were assessed, using a Controlled Stress Dynamic
Shear Rheometer (DSR), which measures fundamental
properties across a range of temperatures and frequencies,
as well as penetration and Ring and Ball (R&B) softening
point tests.
A list of all the polymer modied binders (PMBs), most
of them heavily modied with elastomers (in excess of
10%), and the control binder used in this study, and their
respective empirical properties, are presented in Table 1.
4. Empirical properties
As shown in Table 1, addition of natural asphalt changed the penetration and the R&B softening point of the
parent (base) binders, when tested in accordance with BS
EN 1426 [9] and BS EN 1427 [10], respectively. Figs. 1
and 2 demonstrate the dierent eect of modication found
on mastic binders containing 60/80 pen (i.e. unmodied)
bitumen and PMBs at dierent levels of natural asphalt
addition.
The level of addition of natural asphalt shown in Figs. 1
and 2 was represented by the proportion (by weight) of soluble bitumen in natural asphalt by the total soluble bitumen in the blend. The soluble bitumen contents within
the Uintaite and TLA were assumed to be 99% and 54%
(by weight) respectively; for the latter for example, the soluble binder content contributed by a 50% addition of TLA
was (pro rata) 27%, resulting in a soluble bitumen content
contributed by the TLA of 35% by weight of the total soluble bitumen in the blend.
Fig. 1 shows that addition of natural asphalt results in
a reduction in penetration of the respective mastic binder
blend. Fig. 2 shows that addition of natural asphalt
tended to reduce the R&B softening point of the respective mastic blend if elastomeric binders were used, but on
the other hand the softening point increased with addition of natural asphalt to the unmodied 60/80 pen
bitumen; in all cases, however, the R&B softening point
of those mastic binders containing elastomeric binders

I. Widyatmoko, R. Elliott / Construction and Building Materials 22 (2008) 239249

241

Table 1
Composition and properties of mastic bindersa
Sample ID

Composition

Properties

Base binder

Added TLA

Added Uintaite

Pen at 25 C (dmm)

RBSP (C)

A
C
E
B
D
K
S
L
M
N
O
R
U
W

60/80 pen Bitumen

60/80 pen Bitumen
60/80 pen Bitumen
Elastomeric B
Elastomeric B
Elastomeric H
Elastomeric H
Elastomeric H
Elastomeric M
Elastomeric M
Elastomeric M
Plastomeric R
Plastomeric R
Plastomeric R

70%

50%

60%
70%

50%
60%

25%
15%

10%

71
31
11
41
15
51
12
14
88
32
19
15
11
15

48.0
59.8
70.0
111.0
88.0
112.0
103.4
105.0
105.0
101.4
98.0
103.4
99.4
101.4

Note: Pen and RBSP denote penetration (BS EN 1426) and R&B softening point (BS EN1427) tests, respectively.
a
the term mastic binder denote bituminous binder used in the mastic asphalt mixture, either with or without natural asphalt, but prior to the addition
of ne and coarse aggregates.

100
90

60/80 Pen

80

Elastomeric B
Elastomeric H

Penetration (dmm)

70

Elastomeric M

60

Plastomeric R
50
40
30
20
10
0
0

10

20

30

40

50

60

% Soluble Bitumen in Natural Asphalt by Total Weight of Soluble Bitumen in the Blend
Fig. 1. Eect of per cent natural asphalt on the penetration (at 25 C) of mastic binders.

were much higher than those containing 60/80 pen

bitumen.
It is commonly perceived that an increase in the penetration value would normally be followed by a reduction in
the softening point value. However, Table 1 and Figs. 1
and 2 show that the reduction in the penetration value by
the addition of TLA to the elastomeric binders was typically not followed by a corresponding increase in softening
point value (for example, the addition of 50% TLA into the
Elastomeric binder B resulted in a reduction in both penetration and softening point values); these phenomena are

explained by using blending formulas shown in Eqs. (1)

and (2).
Natural asphalts contain very hard bitumen with penetration values between 0 and 2 dmm. Blending of hard
bitumen with a softer one, in order to obtain an intermediate penetration grade (i.e. having a penetration between
that of the hard and soft bitumens), is not uncommon.
Blending formulas such as those shown in Eqs. (1) and
(2) are sometimes used, e.g. in the Design Manual for
Roads and Bridges HD 31/94 [11] and the Shell Bitumen
Handbook [12].

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I. Widyatmoko, R. Elliott / Construction and Building Materials 22 (2008) 239249

130

60/80 Pen

Elastomeric B

Elastomeric H

Elastomeric M

Plastomeric R

Ring & Ball Softening Point (C)

120
110
100
90
80
70
60
50
40
0

10

20

30

40

50

60

% Soluble Bitumen in Natural Asphalt by Total Weight of Soluble Bitumen in the Blend

Fig. 2. Eect of per cent natural asphalt on the R&B softening point of mastic binders.

Pen New Pen Aa  Pen Bb

SP New aSPA bSPB

where,
Pen New is the calculated penetration value of the new
binder.
SP New is the calculated softening point value of the
new binder.
Pen A and Pen B is the measured penetration value of
binders A and B respectively.
SP A and SP B is the measured softening point value of
binders A and B respectively.
a and b is the proportion of binders A and B in the blend
respectively; in this case a + b = 1.
The above equations imply that:
 for a base binder (A) which has a softening point value
lower than that of the natural asphalt (B), the addition
of natural asphalt (B) will result in a new blend (New)
with a softening point value higher than that of the base
binder (A), and vice versa;
 for a base binder (A) which has a penetration value
higher than that of the natural asphalt (B), the addition
of natural asphalt (B) will result in a new blend (New)
with a penetration value lower than the base binder
(A), and vice versa;
 the rate of change in the penetration or the softening
point of the new blend (New) will be in proportion to
the level of modication (b).

Figs. 3 and 4 compare the calculated and measured penetration and softening point values of the mastic binder
blends (Eqs. (1) and (2) were used for the calculation). In
this case, the natural asphalts (Uintaite (in 60/80pen blend
only) and TLA) were assumed to have a typical penetration
value of 1 dmm and R&B softening point values of 176 and
96 C for the Uintaite and TLA, respectively.
Fig. 3 shows that Eq. (1) tends to over-estimate the calculated penetration values of the new blend, resulting in a
dierence in the calculated penetration values of at least
4 dmm from the measured values, whilst Fig. 4 demonstrates that the dierence between the calculated and the
measured softening point values was relatively small. Overall, however, the observed trends in the calculated penetration and R&B softening point values after addition of
natural asphalts were considered to be consistent with
those observed in the measured values, implying the applicability of these formulas for predicting the empirical properties for these blends.
5. Rheology
Rheological testing was carried out in accordance with
Clause 928 of the Manual of Contract Documents for
Highway Works [13], which is currently an assessment
requirement for PMBs for use in UK highways. The
rheological testing involved determination of complex
shear modulus (G*) and phase angle (d) of the studied
PMB materials over a range of test temperatures
(between 0 and 80 C) and frequencies (between 0.01
and 10 Hz). The rheological testing was carried out by

I. Widyatmoko, R. Elliott / Construction and Building Materials 22 (2008) 239249

243

100
90

Measured
Calculated

80
Penetration (dmm)

70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
A

60/80pen

Elastomeric B

Elastomeric K

Elastomeric M

Plastomeric R

Fig. 3. Measured and calculated penetration values (at 25 C) of mastic binders.

120
Measured

Calculated

R&B Softening Point (C)

100

80

60

40

20

0
A

60/80pen

Elastomeric B

Elastomeric K

Elastomeric M

Plastomeric R

Fig. 4. Measured and calculated softening point values of mastic binders.

using an 8 mm parallel plate with 10 mm thick spindle

shaft and specimen thickness of 2 mm. Selected
rheological data (tested at 0.4 Hz) are presented in
Table 2.
From the rheological testing, the following parameters
were found to have a signicant inuence on the complex
modulus (stiness) and viscoelastic response of the studied
mastic binders: per cent addition of natural asphalt, the

base binder (unmodied bitumen or PMB), and the type

of PMB.
5.1. Addition of natural asphalts into unmodied bitumen
Fig. 5 presents the rheology of 60/80 pen based mastic
binders, before and after addition of natural asphalts (Uintaite or TLA). The gure shows that the addition of natural

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I. Widyatmoko, R. Elliott / Construction and Building Materials 22 (2008) 239249

Table 2
Selected of rheological data (at 0.4 Hz)
Sample ID

Base binder

Addition of soluble bitumen

from natural asphalt

Complex modulus (Pa)

5 C

25 C

80 C

5 C

25 C

80 C

A
C
E
B
D
K
S
L
M
N
O
R
W
U

60/80 pen Bitumen

60/80 pen Bitumen
60/80 pen Bitumen
Elastomeric B
Elastomeric B
Elastomeric H
Elastomeric H
Elastomeric H
Elastomeric M
Elastomeric M
Elastomeric M
Plastomeric R
Plastomeric R
Plastomeric R

1.32 107
2.96 107
1.70 108
1.35 107
7.17 107
4.22 105
1.98 107
4.92 107
1.40 105
8.20 106
1.06 107
9.10 106
4.11 106
1.84 107

4.33 105
1.70 106
1.26 107
4.85 105
4.78 106
1.43 105
3.26 106
6.49 106
3.12 104
6.54 105
1.32 106
1.58 106
1.25 106
2.80 106

3.09 102
1.50 103
11.30 102
37.70 102
3.51 104
1.23 105
2.33 104
1.15 104
6.55 103
9.81 103
6.63 104
2.31 104
1.31 104

41.4
32.6
26.9
37.7
27.3
20.6
25.7
24.0
40.8
39.3
31.5
27.3
17.7
26.0

64.5
54.5
55.7
55.9
54.3
20.2
38.6
41.7
21.6
48.8
42.5
35.5
24.9
38.5

84.8
89.9
16.9
66.4
24.6
43.7
55.9
28.6
43.9
47.5
38.4
52.4
54.6

9.9%
55.9%

35.1%

44.4%
55.9%

35.1
44.4%

8.6%
15.3%

Phase angle (degree)

90

1.E+09

Softer

80

More
Viscous

1.E+07
70
1.E+06
1.E+05

60

1.E+04

50

1.E+03
40
1.E+02
A (60/80 Pen) - G*

C (60/80 Pen + 10% Uintaite) - G*

E (60/80Pen + 70% TLA) - G*

A (60/80Pen) - PA

C (60/80Pen + 10%Uintaite) - PA

E (60/80Pen + 70%TLA) - PA

30

1.E+01
1.E+00

Phase Angle PA (Degree)

Stiffer

Complex Modulus G*(Pa)

1.E+08

More
Elastic

20
10

20

30

40

50

60

70

Temperature ( C)
Fig. 5. Rheology of 60/80 pen based mastic binders (at 0.4 Hz).

asphalts into an unmodied 60/80 pen bitumen (Sample A)

increased the elastic response, as indicated by the reduced
phase angle (Samples C and E).
Fig. 5 also shows that, at temperatures higher than
25 C, 10% addition of Uintaite into a 60/80 pen bitumen
(Sample C) resulted in a mastic binder having similar viscoelastic response (phase angle) as that containing 70%
TLA (Sample E). However, the elastic response of that
containing TLA increased dramatically at low temperature testing (less than 25 C); this is also indicated by
Fig. 6.
Fig. 6 shows that for Samples C and E, the response at
80 C was completely viscous (d = 90) regardless of the
load frequency, whilst the response tended to be more elastic either with increased load frequency at temperatures of
60 C or lower and/or as the test temperature reduced. The
complex modulus, G*, plots (isotherms) for samples C and

E demonstrate that the addition of natural asphalt into

unmodied bitumen resulted in increased binder stiness;
however, the TLA modied mastic binder appeared to be
much stier than that modied with Uintaite. Consistent
with trends observed in the viscoelastic response, G*
increased as load frequency increased and/or as the test
temperature reduced. These characteristics are comparable with those observed in the unmodied bitumen
(Sample A).
Fig. 7 presents the black curves of the binders before
and after addition of natural asphalts. The black curves
are plots of G* vs d. It has been reported that a series
of bitumens diering in penetration but not temperature
susceptibility (penetration index) will give a single black
curve, and that deviations from this curve indicate
changes in composition or variation in structure caused
by processing, ageing, or polymer addition [3,14].

I. Widyatmoko, R. Elliott / Construction and Building Materials 22 (2008) 239249

1.0.E+09

80

1.0.E+08

70

1.0.E+07

Complex Modulus G* (Pa)

Phase Angle (Degrees)

90

60

50

40

30

245

5E

25 E

60 E

80 E

5C

25 C

60 C

80 C

5A

25 A

60 A

80 A

1.0.E+06

1.0.E+05

1.0.E+04

1.0.E+03

1.0.E+02

20

10

5E

25 E

60 E

80 E

5C

25 C

60 C

80 C

5A

25 A

60 A

80 A

0
0.01

0.1

1.0.E+01

10

1.0.E+00
0.01

0.1

Frequency (Hz)

10

Frequency (Hz)

Note: A, C and E denote sample I.D. 5, 25, 60 and 80 denote test temperatures in degree
Celsius.
Fig. 6. Isothermal curves of 60/80 pen based mastic binders containing natural asphalts.

1.E+09
1.E+08

+ 70% TLA

Complex Modulus G* (Pa)

1.E+07

60/80 Pen
1.E+06
TS 0-80C - Sample E (60/80Pen + 70% TLA)

1.E+05

FS @5C - Sample E
FS @25C - Sample E
FS @60C - Sample E

1.E+04

+ 10% Uintaite

TS 0-80C - Sample C (60/80 Pen + 10% Uintaite)

FS @5C - Sample C
FS @25C - Sample C

1.E+03

FS @60C - Sample C
FS @80C - Sample C

1.E+02

TS 0-80C - Sample A (60/80 Pen)

FS @5C - Sample A
FS @25C - Sample A

1.E+01

FS @60C - Sample A
FS @80C - Sample A

1.E+00
20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

Phase Angle (Degree)

Note: TS 0-80 denote temperature sweep tests from 0C to 80C at 0.4 Hz. FS denote frequency sweep
tests from 0.01 Hz to 10 Hz.
Fig. 7. Black curve of 60/80 pen based mastic binders.

Fig. 7 shows that Sample C (where Uintaite was

added) appears to have a black curve comparable to that
of the 60/80 pen bitumen (albeit leaning towards lower

stiness), whilst Sample E (with the addition of TLA)

has its black curve shifted towards a stier and more elastic response. Also, Fig. 7 seems to imply that the Uintaite

246

I. Widyatmoko, R. Elliott / Construction and Building Materials 22 (2008) 239249

and U appeared to have comparable viscoelastic response

even though these samples contained dierent polymer
modiers and dierent levels of TLA addition.
The stiening eect due to the addition of TLA into
unmodied mastic binder is also dierent from that for
PMB; this eect is illustrated in Fig. 9. Fig. 9 shows that
a signicant increase in G* was observed in the polymer
modied mastic binders, specically in the low to intermediate temperature region (e.g. 60 C or less), whereas at
temperatures higher than (say) 60 C, a softening eect
was observed. The softening eect of the plastomeric
mastic binder took place at a lower temperature than for
the elastomeric binders.
In addition, the temperature susceptibility of G* for the
PMBs after TLA addition appeared to be higher than for
those without TLA; this suggests increased temperature
sensitivity. The increased temperature sensitivity after
TLA addition was attributed to the increased viscous
response, especially at temperatures of 5 C or higher
and/or at lower load frequency, as demonstrated in

modied binders could potentially be more brittle than

those containing TLA, as indicated by the lower complex
modulus G* (stiness) of Sample C at a given elastic
response.
5.2. Addition of TLA into polymer modied asphalts
Figs. 8 and 9 show the eect of addition of TLA into
PMB K and R (which had dierent polymer constituents,
Elastomeric and Plastomeric, respectively). Compared with
the eect of addition of natural asphalts on the viscoelastic
response of unmodied bitumen (reduced phase angle,
hence increased elastic response), Fig. 8 shows that the
addition of TLA increased the phase angle value (which
indicates reduced elastic response), with a plateau
observed between 35 and 70 C, where the phase angle values were relatively insensitive to temperature change. An
increased proportion of TLA resulted in further reduction
in elastic response (higher phase angle), as illustrated by
Samples K, S and L. Fig. 8 also shows that Samples S

60
more
viscous

Sample S (K + 60%TLA)

Sample R

Sample U (R + 25%TLA)

Sample L (K + 70%TLA)

55
Phase Angle (degree)

more
elastic

Sample K

50
45
40
35
30
25
20
15
10
10

20

30

40
50
o
Temperature ( C)

60

70

80

Fig. 8. Eect of TLA addition on the viscoelastic response of PMBs.

Complex Modulus G* (Pa)

1.E+08

Sample K

Sample S (K + 60%TLA)

Sample R

Sample U (R + 25%TLA)

Sample L (K + 70%TLA)

1.E+07

1.E+06

1.E+05

1.E+04
10

20

30

40

50

60

70

Temperature ( C)
Fig. 9. Eect of TLA addition on the complex modulus (G*) of PMBs.

80

I. Widyatmoko, R. Elliott / Construction and Building Materials 22 (2008) 239249

70

247

5K

25 K

80 K

5S

25 S

80 S

5L

5S

5K

5L

25 L

80 L

25 L

25 S

25 K

80 L

80 S

80 K

1.0E+09

60

1.0E+08

Complex Modulus G* (Pa)

Phase Angle (Degrees)

50

40

30

1.0E+07

1.0E+06

1.0E+05

20

1.0E+04

10

1.0E+03

0
0.01

0.1

10

0.01

0.1

Frequency (Hz)

10

Frequency (Hz)

Note: K, L and S denote sample I.D. 5, 25 and 80 denote test temperatures in degree Celsius.
Fig. 10. Isothermal curves of elastomeric mastic binders K.

Fig. 10. At 5 C, addition of TLA increased the d values

towards more viscous response as the load frequency
reduced to 1 Hz or lower. Overall however, the d values
of Elastomeric K based mastic binders appeared to be less
sensitive to load frequency when compared against those of

the 60/80 pen based mastic binders, and that in any test/
loading condition, the d values of Elastomeric K binders
never exceeded 60 as opposed to those of the 60/80 pen
based mastic binders which reached 90 (completely viscous) at 80 C.

1.E+08

+ 70% TLA

Complex Modulus G* (Pa)

1.E+07

Sample K
1.E+06

+ 60% TLA

TS 0-80C - Sample K
FS @ 5C - Sample K
FS @ 25C - Sample K
FS @60C - Sample K
FS @ 80C - Sample K
TS 0-80C - Sample S (K + 60%TLA)
FS @ 5C - Sample S
FS @ 25C - Sample S
FS @60C - Sample S
FS @ 80C - Sample S
TS 0-80C - Sample L (K + 70%TLA)
FS@5C - Sample L
FS @ 25C - Sample L
FS @60C - Sample L
FS @ 80C - Sample L

1.E+05

1.E+04

1.E+03
10

20

30

40

50

Phase Angle (Degree)

Fig. 11. Black curve of elastomeric mastic binders K.

60

70

80

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I. Widyatmoko, R. Elliott / Construction and Building Materials 22 (2008) 239249

 changes in the shape of the black curve from a very narrow S-like curve (typical for heavily modied elastomeric
binders) to a broader S-like curve after TLA addition;

Fig. 11 shows that the shape of the black curve of Sample K had been stretched out by the addition of TLA,
resulting in:

90

1.0E+08

5R

25 R

60 R

80 R

5U

25 U

60 U

80 U

80
1.0E+07

70

Complex Modulus G*(Pa)

Phase Angle (Degrees)

60

50

40

30

1.0E+06

1.0E+05

1.0E+04

20
1.0E+03

10

5R

25 R

60 R

80 R

5U

25 U

60 U

80 U

1.0E+02

0.01

0.1

10

0.01

0.1

10

Frequency (Hz)

Frequency (Hz)

Note: R and U denote sample I.D. 5, 25, 60 and 80 denote test temperatures in degree Celsius
Fig. 12. Isothermal curves of plastomeric mastic binders R.

1.E+08

Complex Modulus G* (Pa)

1.E+07

+ 25% TLA
1.E+06

TS 0-80C - Sample R
FS @5C - Sample R
FS @25C - Sample R
FS @60C - Sample R
FS @80C - Sample R
TS 0-80C - Sample U (R + 25%TLA)
FS @5C - Sample U
FS @25C - Sample U
FS @60C - Sample U
FS @80C - Sample U

Sample R
1.E+05

1.E+04

1.E+03
10

20

30

40

50

60

70

Phase Angle (Degree)

Note: TS 0-80 denote temperature sweep tests from 0C to 80C at 0.4 Hz. FS denote frequency sweep
tests from 0.01 Hz to 10 Hz.
Fig. 13. Black curve of plastomeric mastic binders R.

80

I. Widyatmoko, R. Elliott / Construction and Building Materials 22 (2008) 239249

 slight increase in the range of viscoelastic response, from

a predominantly elastic response (d ranged between 15
and 40) to a broader viscoelastic response (d ranged
between 20 and 65);
 increase in low temperature viscous response (higher d
values) which is highly desirable for improve low temperature ductility;
 signicant increase in the upper range of complex modulus G* (from 1 MPa to 100 MPa) whilst maintaining
the lower G* range (around 510 kPa).
Figs. 12 and 13 present the isotherms and black curves
for the Plastomeric R mastic binders, which demonstrate
similar trends as those observed for the Elastomeric K
binders after TLA addition. Overall, the data show the
potential benet oered by using PMB with added TLA,
when compared against unmodied bitumen with added
TLA, as indicated by improved mechanical properties at
both low temperature (lower G* & higher phase angle,
hence more ductile and exible, which is potentially benecial for inhibiting cracks) and high temperature (higher
G* & lower phase angle, indicating improved elasticity,
which is potentially benecial for resisting deformation).
6. Concluding remarks
The mechanical properties of mastic asphalt are highly
aected by the rheological properties of the respective mastic binder. Analysis showed that the stiening eect
caused by addition of natural asphalt into mastic binder,
which is normally anticipated in the case of conventional
mastic asphalt (incorporating unmodied bitumen), took
place in a dierent way if a polymer modier was used.
Specically, the following observations were made on a
total of 14 unmodied and modied binders, incorporating
natural asphalts (Uintaite or TLA) and polymers both in
isolation and in combination:
(1) The addition of natural asphalt (Uintaite or TLA) to
unmodied bitumen caused a reduction in penetration, and an increase in softening point, as expected.
(2) The addition of TLA to polymer modied bitumen
(PMB) caused a reduction in penetration and in softening point value. In all cases, the softening point values of those PMBs with TLA were higher than those of
the unmodied binders with either Uintaite or TLA.
(3) The reduced penetration values of the mastic binder
appeared to be mainly contributed to by the soluble
bitumen residue within the natural asphalts, as also
suggested by conventional blending formulae.

249

(4) Rheological analysis provided some explanation for

this behaviour:
(i) With unmodied bitumen, Uintaite or TLA
caused an increase in complex modulus (G*) and
a reduction in phase angle (d), indicating an
increased elastic response.
(ii) With unmodied bitumen, 10% addition of Uintaite resulted in mastic binder of similar viscoelastic
response as 60% addition of TLA; however, that
modied with Uintaite showed lower complex
modulus value than that modied with TLA,
implying increased risk of brittleness.
(iii) With PMB, TLA improved both low and high
temperature performance (when compared against
unmodied bitumen with TLA).
References
[1] British Standards Institution, Bitumen for building and civil engineering. Part-1. Specication for Bitumens for Road Purposes, British
Standard 3690:Part 1: 1989.
[2] Pfeier JP. The properties of asphaltic bitumen. Elsevier;
1950.
[3] Teugels W. The black diagram, only a rheological data presentation?,
2nd Eurasphalt & Eurobitume Congress, Barcelona, 2000.
[4] Vinogradov GV, Malkin A Ya. Rheology of polymers. Moscow: Mir
Publication; 1980.
[5] Dussek I. Private Communication, 2000.
[6] Asphalt Associates Ltd, Gilsonite, Available from: <http://
www.asphaltassociates.com> (downloaded on 15:08:2004).
[7] Brown SF, Rowlett RD, Boucher JL. Asphalt modication. In:
Proceedings of the conference The United States Strategic Highway
Research Program. London: Institute of Civil Engineers; 1990. p.
181203. October.
[8] British Standards Institution, Bitumen for building and civil engineering. Part 3: Specication for mixtures of bitumen with pitch, tar
and Trinidad lake asphalt, BS 3690, 1990.
[9] British Standards Institution. Methods of tests for petroleum and
its products. Bitumen and bituminous binders. Determination of
needle penetration, BS EN 1426: 2000 (identical with BS 2000: Part
49).
[10] British Standards Institution, Methods of tests for petroleum and
its products. Bitumen and bituminous binders. Determination of
softening point, BS EN 1427: 2000 (identical with BS 2000: Part
58).
[11] Design manual for roads and bridges (DMRB), Volume 7: Pavement
Design and Maintenance, HD 31/94.
[12] Read JM, Whiteoak D. Shell bitumen handbook. fth edition.
Thomas Telford Publishing; 2003.
[13] Department of transport, specication for highway works and notes
for guidance on the specication for highway works, manual of
contract documents for highway works, The Stationery Oce,
London, vol. 1 and 2, 2002.
[14] Hayton B. The rheology of bitumen, Bohlin User Group Workshop,
September 1995.