STUDY ON MIX DESIGN RATIOS OF POLYMER ASPHALT CONCRETE FOR EVALUATING QUALITY PERFORMANCE IN COMPARISON WITH CONVENTIONAL ASPHALT CONCRETE

Abstract

The rapid development of the transportation infrastructure in Vietnam, under tropical monsoon climatic conditions and increasing traffic volumes, requires pavement materials with higher quality and durability than conventional asphalt concrete. Polymer-modified asphalt is considered one of the most effective modifiers, providing superior performance in terms of high-temperature stability, elasticity, and resistance to rutting. This study investigates the effects of different polymer contents (0%, 3%, 4%, and 5%) in hot mix asphalt and evaluates the corresponding mechanical and physical properties in accordance with current Vietnamese standards. Experimental results indicate that an content of 4% delivers the optimal overall performance, significantly enhancing Marshall stability, moisture resistance, and adhesion compared with conventional asphalt concrete. Further analyses elucidate the modification mechanisms of polymer on the mixture structure and propose practical application orientations for pavement engineering.