Abstract: Hot Mix Asphalt (HMA) is used overcome these distresses, the performance of
predominantly as a paving mix from many decades standard cold-mix bitumen may be improved by
in road construction. In India almost 90 percent road using modified bituminous emulsions, that is, by
network is occupied by bituminous pavements only. modifying bitumen properties before emulsification.
Certain limitations associated with HMA use are like Thus, cold-mix bitumen has been traditionally
emission of green house gases from hot mix plant, modified by addition of a large list of different types
shut down of plants during rainy season, problems in of substances called as ‘modifiers’. Bitumen
maintaining the paving temperature when hauling modification for paving applications is mostly
distances are more, etc. carried out by means of polymers, both virgin
Cold mix asphalt consists of unheated (polyethylene, EVA, SBS, SBR, etc.) and waste
aggregate with emulsion or cutback as binder. Cold (plastics from agriculture, crumb tyre rubber, etc.)
mix also offers advantages like; reduction in
emissions, low fuel consumption, can be used in 1. Introduction
rainy seasons etc. The main difference between cold
mix and HMA is that aggregates and emulsion or Bitumen as a visco-elastic material plays a
cutbacks are mixed at ambient temperature (10°C- prominent role in determining many aspects of road
30°C) in case of cold mix and aggregates and binder performance. Various types of crude source and
are mixed at high temperature (138°C-160°C) in refining process lead to extreme complexity in
case of HMA. bitumen chemistry and rheology. Furthermore, the
In the emulsion based cold mix technology, rheological behavior of bitumen is also very
the addition of pre-wetting water to the aggregate, complex, varying from purely viscous to elastic
thereafter addition of emulsion to it, production of depending on loading time and temperature. A
the mix, laying and compaction, all processes are bituminous mixture needs to be flexible enough at
done at the room temperature (23ºC to 25ºC). In low service temperatures to prevent pavement
addition to this, field trials have proved that cold mix cracking and to be stiff enough at high service
can be easily produced by using hot mix plant and temperature to prevent rutting. Flexible pavements
laid in using similar techniques. They also found the containing conventional bitumen do not always
performance of cold mixes in an acceptable level as perform as expected.
cracks formed in cold mix bitumen pavement In improving the properties of bitumen,
repaired themselves over time & because of this several types of modification have been investigated.
flexibility of cold mix surface it could last longer on These include additive modification, polymer
low volume roads than hot mix. Cold mix can be modification and chemical reaction modification.
used mainly for base course and sometimes for Investigations have revealed that properties of
binder or wearing course. bitumen and bituminous mixes can be improved to
Bitumen is used largely for the construction meet the growing requirements of pavement with
of flexible pavements with Cold Mix technology. incorporation of certain polymers. Bitumen modified
However, pavements may undergo one or several of with polymer offers a combination of performance
the most common distresses i.e. rutting (permanent related benefits as they improve the physical
deformation under heavy vehicles loading) and properties of the bitumen without changing the
fatigue cracking (cracks due to repetitive application chemical nature of it. The polymer usually influences
of loads) at high in-service temperatures, and the bitumen by creating an inter-connecting matrix of
thermal cracking (cracks due to the lack of the polymer through the bitumen. It is this matrix of
flexibility) at low in-service temperatures. To long chain molecules of the added polymer that
modifies the physical properties of the bitumen. Overall, the use of polymer modified
These additives increase the elasticity, decrease the technology has been proven that it can improve the
brittle point and increase the softening point of the physical properties, performance, and durability of
bitumen. This, in turn, will alter the properties of the asphalt emulsion. For example, the used of polymer
mix in which such modified bitumen is used and can improve the temperature susceptibility and
these mixes will exhibit greater stiffness at higher rutting performance of cold mix. Certain polymer
temperature and high flexibility at low temperatures. can be added at higher dosage level in asphalt
Various polymer modifiers based on nature emulsion compared to hot modified asphalt which
(elastomer, plastomer and reclaimed type of crumb) means the improvement of polymer modified asphalt
are used for making perpetual pavements. The main emulsion is better than hot polymer modified asphalt.
aim of bitumen modification through polymers is to The method to add polymer is depends on the
combine high cohesive strength at elevated physical properties of the polymer. Normally, the
temperature with elasticity at low temperature. pre-blended method will be used for solid polymer
Increase in the cost of polymer modified bituminous and post-blended method will be used for liquid
is offset by the enhanced useful life span of road polymer. Even though the pre-blended method is
surfacing. The capability of polymer modifiers is to proven to produce a fine polymer network within
resist the degradation of bitumen at mixing asphalt emulsion, some researchers suggested that
temperature. post blended method should be used for liquid
polymer to produce polymer modified asphalt
2. Objective of study: emulsion to reduce the energy used and minimize the
effect of heat to the polymer that might be can alter
1. To carry out field and laboratory tests for the or damage the polymer.
performance of polymer as modifier with their
various percentages in cold bitumen mix . 3.2 Micro structure of Polymer Modified Bitumen
2. To evaluate improved properties of cold mix by Emulsion:
addition of polymer and rubber as modifier. Forbes et. al. (2001) studied Micro structure
3. To compare properties of cold mix with modifier of polymer modified bitumen emulsion. The bitumen
and with out modifiers. used in this study was 180/200-penetration bitumen
To fulfill the requirement of the study, a refined from Middle Eastern crude. A latex elastomer
laboratory tests has been carried out for semi dense polymer was used to modify the bitumen at a
cold mix with cement as additive and PVC powder concentration of 3% solids by weight of bitumen.
as modifier. Four emulsions consisting of bitumen, water,
polymer and emulsifier were prepared using a
3. Literature study: Charlotte G-3 colloid mill operating under
atmospheric pressure. The polymer was added by
3.1 Study of bitumen emulsion modification: four different methods: (1) pre-blending the polymer
Shaffi et. al. (2011), specified that the history into the bitumen at 180°C for 1 hour before
of asphalt emulsions and its application in road emulsifying; (2)co-milling the latex polymer through
construction begin in the early part of 20th century. the mill with the bitumen and emulsifier solution
Today, up to 10% of paving-grade asphalt is used in phases; (3)adding the latex polymer into the
emulsified form compare to unmodified asphalt emulsifier and water solution; (4) post-adding the
emulsion or hot applied polymer modified asphalt, latex polymer to the prepared emulsion. A quaternary
polymer modified asphalt emulsion have several ammonium slow set cationic emulsifier was used to
advantages. Emulsifying of polymer modified stabilize the bitumen droplets. The solids content of
asphalt leads to a dried binder film that is more the emulsions was 62%.
homogeneous and has a better polymer distribution From the study, it can be concluded that,
which can improve the binder properties, particularly Cationic bitumen emulsion binders containing
the ability of the binder to develop consistent polymer latex were investigated using confocal laser
cohesion strength and to have a better stone scanning microscopy, which proved to be a useful
retention. technique for this application. The emulsion binder
Forbes et. al. (2001) found that emulsifying of films were studied after evaporation of the emulsion
polymer modified asphalt show a good compatibility aqueous phase. It is shown how the structure and
of polymer network distribution within asphalt distribution of the polymer varies within the bitumen
compare to polymer modified asphalt. Polymer binder depending on latex addition method, and that
modified asphalt show incompatibility as the the structure of the binder remains intact when
polymer has coalesced into localized agglomerations. exposed to elevated temperature. It is also shown
The compatibility of the polymer within asphalt is how the polymer elongates under stress to improve
important for optimum performance.
the bitumen binder resistance to deformation which continuously graded mix, which can be used as
allows to increase strength of mix. binder course or wearing course in a flexible
It was found that the polymer dispersion pavement & shall consist of coarse aggregate, fine
within a mono phase emulsion binder (polymer is aggregate and filler in suitable proportion mixed with
blended into the bitumen before the emulsifying sufficient quantity of mixing water and cationic
process) is distinctly fine throughout the bitumen. bitumen emulsion. The optimum bitumen emulsion
However, the bi-phase emulsion binders (produced content shall be arrived at by Marshall method of
by either post adding the latex to the bitumen mix design worked out in the laboratory and by using
emulsion, adding the latex into the emulsifier SS-2 grade of cationic bitumen emulsion.
solution phase before processing or co-milling the C)Bituminous Cold Mixes (Including Gravel
latex with the bitumen, water and emulsifier) resulted Emulsion): This includes providing cold mix
in a network formation of bitumen particles consisting of mixture of unheated mineral aggregate
surrounded by a continuous polymer film. This and bitumen emulsion, laid in a single layer of 25-75
difference in polymer dispersion and binder structure mm.
requires further investigation to determine if there is
a significant effect on binder performance. The 3.3.2 Mix Design Procedure for Cold Mix Asphalt
results in this study show that emulsified binders (CMA):
appear to have a more homogeneous distribution of Mix design for CMA from most of methods
polymer compared to hot polymer-modified binders, is mainly composed of determining the following
and therefore have greater potential for consistent items: charge compatibility of emulsion-aggregate
binder cohesion strength, stone retention and system (coating), optimum moisture content at
consequently improved pavement performance & compaction, optimum residual bitumen content and
ultimately enhance the properties of bituminous mix. structure performance. It is necessary to examine
coating as part of the materials selection process to
3.3 Cold Mix Bitumen: prevent moisture damage as discussed previously.
IRC:SP:100, (2014) specified performance Current research suggests a minimum threshold of
requirements of cold mix. A cold mix is defined as a 90% coating for surface courses. Results of trial
mixture of bitumen emulsion and aggregate that is compactions found that both moisture content and
mixed together at ambient temperature. The cold mix residual bitumen content have significant effects on
should be designed to meet the performance density, rate of curing and performance.
requirements which include workability, coating, The mix design procedure for CMA
strength development, and other applicable targets. commonly consists of several steps including:
The important elements for design of cold mix are, coating evaluation, mixing and compaction, curing,
a) Coating: The emulsion should have ability to coat volumetric analysis and performance testing. In these
the aggregate without balling of fines. b)Workability: procedures optimum emulsion content is determined
The mixture must maintain its workability during through volumetric analysis or based on mixture
production, laying etc. c)Run- off: The design should performance test results.
ensure that emulsion run-off from mixture will not
occur. d)Aggregates quality: The sand equivalent 3.4 Benefits of Cold mix process :
value test shall be carried out to ensure that clay J. Keith Davidson et. al., (2012) have
content is not in excess. e)Bitumen content: The described the benefits of using cold mix processes
amount of residual bitumen required in the mix is are as follows: production facility, placement
determined based on the surface area of the operation, products available, engineering properties
aggregate. f)Moisture susceptibility: For moisture and energy efficiencies. The production facilities to
susceptibility of the mix to intrusion of water, boiling manufacture these processes have high production.
or immersion tests may be used. g) Strength: It can These plants are self-contained, extremely mobile
be determined using Marshall Stability Test. and can be set up rapidly. The mixes can be placed
The different types of cold mixes which may be many different ways. A self-propelled travel plant
used for construction and maintenance of roads are: (Midland Mix-paver) can be used or the mix can be
A) Cold Mix Bituminous Macadam: It shall involve placed using a grader. The use of conventional hot
construction of one or more courses of compacted mix spreaders is very common. For many of the
mixture prepared with bitumen emulsion and mineral processes the compaction does not have to be done
aggregate, laid immediately after mixing to required right away. The mixes are not temperature restricted
grade and camber using appropriate machinery and as they are already cold.
used for construction of bituminous base course and The various types of cold mixes can be
for strengthening of flexible pavements. B)Cold manufactured using many different types of bitumen
Mixed Semi Dense Bituminous Concrete: It is a emulsions. The emulsion can be tailor-made for a
specific material or situation. Each job is unique and III) procedures. Standard test was conducted to
pre-engineering is required. The mixes can be used determine some other physical properties.
for a specific engineering property. The OGEM is an Fine Aggregate consisted of stone crusher dusts
excellent mix to use where the subgrade is not in the were collected from a local crusher. Aggregates with
best of condition. Because of its unique self-healing fractions passing 4.75 mm and retained on 0.075 mm
property and capability to withstand high deflections IS sieve were used as fine aggregates. Its specific
the OGEM is ideally suited. gravity was found to be 2.60 as per IS: 2386 (Part-
The cold mix process is very energy III) procedures.
efficient. The amount of energy to produce the mix is 2) Filler: stone crusher dusts were collected from
very low compared to the other road construction local market. Specific gravity for stone crusher dusts
processes. There are no concerns about smog days 3.07 & Ordinary Portland cement 53 grade 2% by the
where hot mix production is not allowed. There is total weight of aggregate.
very low or negligible “blue smoke” emissions 3) Binder: Cationic slow setting (SS2) Bitumen
during manufacture of the cold mix. There is emulsion collected from IWL (India) Ltd. to prepare
typically less fugitive dust present in the air because the samples.
the aggregate does not have to be dried and the damp 4) Modifiers: Modification of bitumen mix was
aggregate encapsulates all the dust particles. Since carried out by adding Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC)
the aggregate does not have to be heated there is purchased from V. K. Traders, Mumbai.
reduced fossil fuel consumption during the Polyvinyl Chloride having origins like- mineral
manufacturing process. water bottles, credit cards, toys, pipes and gutters,
electrical fittings, furniture, folders and pens,
4. Experimental study of modified Cold medical disposables etc.
Mix:
In the study, semi dense graded cold mixes
were prepared. Selection of materials and aggregate
gradations was as per IRC specifications. Bitumen
emulsion of SS2 grade was used & tested as per
specifications. PVC powder was used as modifiers.
For compaction of cold mixes, Marshall compaction
method is followed. For semi dense graded cold
mixes (SDCM), mixes are designed as unmodified PVC powder
as well as modified mixes.
The overall methodology of experimental 4.2 Procedure for preparation of cold mix sample:
program is described as follows. 1. The dry aggregate was blended into 1200g batches
1) Preparation of test samples by combining the different aggregate sizes to the
2) Testing program desired gradation.
3) Comparison of results of all cases 2. The aggregate was used cold (at room
4) Conclusion temperature)
The experimental study was carried out in 2 3. The moisture content was added to the aggregate
phases: and mixed thoroughly. The mix was left for 10-15
1) Preparation of semi dense graded cold mix with minutes at room temperature before adding
cement but without modifier, bitumen emulsion.
2) Preparation of semi dense graded cold mix with 4. The bitumen emulsion with different percentage
cement and PVC powder as modifier. added to the wet aggregate and mixed
. thoroughly for about 2 minutes. The suitability
4.1 Material : of the mix and degree of coating was then
In my study I have taken 7 to 9 percent of evaluated.
bitumen emulsion with 2% of cement as additive & 5. After mixing the mixture was kept in oven at 40º C
appropriate percentages of modifiers i.e. Polyvinyl for 72 hours. At the end of 72 hours the specimen
chloride (PVC) powder. were taken out from the oven and poured into the
1) Aggregates: For preparation of semi dense cold pre oiled Marshall mould.
graded cold mixes(SDBC), aggregate gradation 6. The compaction of the mixture was done by the
were taken as per MoRTH (2001) and IRC:SP:79 Marshall Compaction hammer on each side of
(2008) specifications. Coarse Aggregate were specimen 50 blows.
collected from a local source at Taloja. Its specific 7. The prepared samples were extruded after 24
gravity was found to be 2.73 as per IS: 2386 (Part-
hours.
6 References: