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QUALITY CONTROL REQUIREMENTS FOR USING CRUMB RUBBER MODIFIED
BITUMEN (CRMB) IN BITUMINOUS MIXTURES
ABSTRACT
Crumb rubber modified bitumen (CRMB) was used in numerous asphalt paving projects in all 50 states of the United States from
1991 to 1995 due to a federal government mandate. Most states discontinued the routine use of CRMB after the mandate was repealed
in 1995. There are three primary reasons for this.
First, the use of CRMB requires development of a statewide infrastructure consisting of strategically located blending terminals
or on-site blending units. This is required because CRMB must be used as soon as possible since its quality can start to deteriorate as
early as 6 hours after production. Crumb rubber is prone to degradation (devulcanization and depolymerization) if its use is delayed
thereby losing its vital properties such as elasticity and viscosity.
Second, crumb rubber tends to separate and settle down in the bitumen. If some crumb rubber particles have settled to the bottom
of the transport tanker or contractors storage tank, the CRMB at the top may have quality, which is inferior to pure bitumen. This
happens because the crumb rubber at the bottom has robbed (absorbed) aromatic oils from the bitumen. In sch cases, the CRMB
actually used can be detrimental to the bituminous pavement. Therefore, after production CRMB should be agitated continuously
through mechanical means during its transportation and its storage in contractors bitumen tank.
Third, many states in the US have reported mixed performance of asphalt pavements constructed with CRMB and the cost
effectiveness of CRMB was found to be none to marginal.
At the present time, CRMB is used on a routine basis only in four states in the US. The remaining 46 states do not appear to have
much interest in developing the necessary infrastructure and implementing the necessary quality control programme to ensure effective
use of CRMB. The objective of this paper is to describe all necessary quality control requirements for using CRMB in bituminous mixtures
so that both producers and users alike can assess whether in a developing country like India there is the necessary infrastructure and
quality control programme in place for the effective use of CRMB.
plant; transportation of CRMB from production site to At the present time, CRMB is used on a routine
asphalt mix plant; storage of CRMB in contractors basis only in four states in the US: Arizona, California,
plant; and final testing of CRMB just prior to adding it Florida, and Texas. The remaining 46 states do not
aggregates in asphalt plant pug mill or drum. appear to have much interest in developing the
necessary infrastructure and implementing the
During the mandate all 50 states in the US used necessary quality control programme to ensure effective
CRMB in numerous asphalt paving projects from 1991 use of CRMB. The objective of this paper is to describe
until 1995 when the mandate was repealed 8,12,14 . all quality control requirements for using CRMB in
Thereafter, most states discontinued the routine use of bituminous mixtures so that both producers and users
CRMB in asphalt paving mixtures. There are three alike can assess whether in a developing country like
primary reasons for this. India there is the necessary infrastructure and quality
control programme in place for effective use of CRMB.
First, the use of CRMB requires development of
If not, the use of CRMB will be counterproductive. As
a statewide infrastructure consisting of strategically
explained later, in some cases the quality of CRMB can
placed blending terminals or on-site blending units. This
be inferior to that of the neat bitumen to which rubber
is required because CRMB must be used as soon as
was added.
possible because its quality can start to deteriorate as
early as 6 hours after production. This will be discussed
2. PRODUCTION OF CRMB
in detail later.
Second, the quality control requirements right CRMB is produced by the so-called wet process
from the production to the end use of CRMB are too in which crumb rubber is added to hot bitumen and the
cumbersome because of two issues: (a) crumb rubber mixture is agitated mechanically until there is a
tends to separate and settle down in the bitumen and reaction between the bitumen and crumb rubber. The
(b) crumb rubber is prone to degradation reaction is not a chemical process but rather a
(devulcanization and depolymerization) if its use is diffusion process that includes the physical absorption
delayed thereby losing its vital properties including of aromatic oils from the bitumen into the polymer chain
viscosity10,17. Some patented CRMB processes such as of the rubber. The rubber particles swell as they absorb
chemically modified CRMB, have been developed in oils, which cause the viscosity of the CRMB to increase
the US and Canada recently to overcome the problems during the first hour or so. After the reaction and
of separation and/or degradation4. However, after adding associated swelling is over, the viscosity of the blend
patent royalties the cost of improved CRMBs levels off as shown in Fig. 1.
approximates those of conventional polymer modified
bitumens (PMB) such as those modified with SBS. In
that case state highway agencies would prefer to use
conventional PMBs which are closely controlled and
do not have any problem with degradation or separation.
That is why the use of chemically modified CRMB is
not common in the US. Moreover, such chemically
modified CRMBs undergo a rigorous laboratory and
field evaluation by the state highway agencies to verify
the claims of the suppliers concerning separation and
degradation. Such evaluations are considered public
Fig. 1. Typical time versus viscosity curve of CRMB
information and are usually published.
Third, many states such as Arkansas, Georgia, If the CRMB is maintained at high temperature
Kansas, Minnesota, Nevada, Washington, and for a prolonged period of time (as little as 6 hours), the
Wisconsin1,2,7,9,11,19,22,24 have reported mixed performance crumb rubber begins to degrade (devulcanize and
of asphalt pavements constructed with CRMB and the depolymerize) causing the CRMB viscosity to decrease
cost effectiveness of CRMB was found to be none to from its plateau level (also called the target viscosity)
marginal6. as shown in Fig. 1. This time versus viscosity plot of
QUALITY CONTROL REQUIREMENTS FOR U SING C RUMB R UBBER M ODIFIED BITUMEN (CRMB) IN
BITUMINOUS M IXTURES 101
CRMB during production and storage is influenced by rubber particles with high surface area, which reduces
the following factors. the reaction time when mixed with bitumen.
Cryogenically produced crumb rubber generally has
2.1.Bitumen Crude Source and Method smooth particle surface texture with low surface area
of Refining and needs increased reaction time. The processing
method, therefore, affects the crumb rubber particle
The chemical composition of bitumen varies from
morphology, which in turn affects the rate of reaction
one petroleum crude source to another, from which it
and target viscosity of CRMB.
is refined. No two crude sources are the same. The
method of refining also affects bitumens chemical
2.4. Amount and Size of Crumb Rubber
composition in terms of asphaltene and maltene
contents. Since bitumen is a hydrocarbon and crumb The finer the size of the crumb rubber, the lesser
rubber also contains substantial amounts of is the time of reaction before the viscosity plateau is
hydrocarbons their mutual chemical compatibility reached. For a given percentage of crumb rubber, the
affects the time versus viscosity curve mentioned reaction time is directly proportional to the diameter
earlier. The type and amount of oil readily available in squared of the rubber particles. Both the amount and
bitumen for absorption by crumb rubber also affects size of crumb rubber affect the properties of CRMB.
the nature of the curve. Bitumens low in aromatic oils
tend to produce CRMB with poor adhesive properties10. The preceding four factors among others, which
affect the time versus viscosity curve, are unique to
2.2. Source of Crumb Rubber each producer of CRMB. Therefore, every producer
(refinery, blending terminal, or on-site blending) must
Crumb rubber can be obtained from truck tyres
obtain this curve for a time of at least 24 hours (X-
or automobile tyres or both. Truck tyres contain 80
axis) and furnish it to the user agency (asphalt mix
per cent more rubber hydrocarbons than automobile
contractor or government highway department10). This
tyres and also contain significantly higher amounts of
can be accomplished by measuring the viscosity of the
natural rubber20. Whole truck tyre contains 18 per cent
CRMB every 10-15 minutes during the reaction before
natural rubber compared to 9 per cent in an automobile
reaching the viscosity plateau and every one-hour up
tyre and 2 per cent in tyre treads. The amount of natural
to 24 hours after the reaction has taken place.
rubber has shown to affect the properties of CRMB
Rotational viscometers such as Brookfield (Photo 1)
significantly. Each lot of crumb rubber may have
and Haake are used for measuring the viscosity. This
different chemical composition depending on the source
will also allow the producer to furnish the following to
(truck tyres or automobile tyres or mixture of both)
the user agency: (a) target (plateau) viscosity and (b)
and, therefore, when combined with the same source
allowable time in hours before the CRMB starts to
of bitumen may give different time versus viscosity
deteriorate (reduction in viscosity as shown in Fig. 1).
curve. In other words, the target (plateau) viscosity
The user agency then ensures that the CRMB is used
and the allowable time before degradation are unique
within allowable time after production. The user agency
to each specific combination of bitumen and crumb
also checks the viscosity of CRMB just prior to adding
rubber. Any time the source of bitumen or crumb rubber
it to hot aggregate and compares the measured viscosity
is changed, the time versus viscosity must be obtained
with the target viscosity furnished by the CRMB
again.
producer. A portable handheld viscometer such as
2.3. Method of Producing Crumb Rubber Haake viscometer (Photo 2) can be used in the field10.
The allowable time includes storage at the CRMB
Crumb rubber is produced from discarded tyres production site, if any; transportation time from the
by two methods: (a) grinding at ambient temperatures production site to contractors asphalt plant; and storage
and (b) grinding cryogenically cooled tyre rubber. In in contractors tank.
the latter process, the tyre rubber is chilled by liquid
nitrogen. The resulting brittle rubber is then easily 3. TRANSPORTATION OF CRMB
fractured in a hammer mill and then ground. Grinding
Even after the crumb rubber has reacted with
at ambient temperatures produces sponge-like crumb
bitumen, it has a tendency to separate from bitumen
102 P ROF . K ANDHAL ON
Rotational Viscometer that the CRMB should be used within a specified number
of hours after production. For example, California,
(Brookfield) Kansas, and Arizona specify that the CRMB must be
Torque used within 4, 6, and 10 hours, respectively 10. This
Motor
kind of requirement does not allow the CRMB to be
produced at oil refineries, which are generally far away
Inner Cylinder
from asphalt mix plants. That is why, an infrastructure
Digital
of numerous blending terminals or on-site blending units
Temperature are necessary within a state. Photo 3 shows such
Controller infrastructure strategically located in the State of Florida
Thermosel in the US.
Environmental
Chamber
viscosity is significantly lower than the target viscosity, The following is a brief summary of quality control
separation of crumb rubber and/or degradation of crumb requirements when CRMB is used in bituminous
rubber are suspected and the CRMB should not be mixtures.
accepted for future use.
CRMB producer must develop and document time
5. CONSTRUCTION QUALITY CONTROL versus viscosity curve for each specific
combination of bitumen and crumb rubber 10 .
Construction of bituminous pavement with Whenever the source of bitumen and/or crumb
CRMB 10 is not much different than construction with rubber changes, a new curve should be obtained.
conventional bitumen except the following: This curve establishes the CRMB target viscosity
and the time in hours available after production
(a) Soapy water or silicone emulsion should be before the crumb rubber starts to degrade. This
sprayed on truck beds so that asphalt mix does curve along with the target viscosity and available
not stick to the bed. Use of diesel is not desirable time after production should be furnished to the
at all for this purpose. user agency (asphalt mix contractor or
(b) Since the viscosity of CRMB is more than that of government highway department) to which CRMB
unmodified bitumen, higher mix temperatures are is being supplied. The amount of crumb rubber
needed to obtain adequate compaction of the in the CRMB must also be furnished to the user
pavement. agency 10.
(c) CRMB sets faster than unmodified bitumen.
Therefore, compaction of asphalt mix should
The crumb rubber in CRMB has a tendency to
begin promptly after lay down by the paver. If separate from bitumen and settle down. Therefore,
after production CRMB should be agitated
the mix has cooled down, it may not be possible
to obtain adequate compaction, which is very continuously through mechanical means during
important for pavement durability. its transportation to asphalt mix plant and its
storage in contractors bitumen tank.
(d) Pneumatic-tyred rollers tend to pick up the asphalt
mix containing CRMB and, therefore, should not Since CRMB is substantially stiffer than
be used. unmodified bitumen, compaction of asphalt mix
containing CRMB should begin promptly to
6. SUMMARY OF QUALITY CONTROL REQUIREMENTS adequate compaction in the pavement.
need to be established. In absence of an adequate Experience with Crumb Rubber Modified Mixes Using
Marshall and SHRP Level I Design Methods, TRB,
infrastructure and quality control programme, which
Transportation Research Record 1530, 1996.
is generally the case in a developing country like India,
10. Hanson, D.I., Epps, J.A., and Hicks, R.G., Construction
the use of CRMB is not justified and may even be Guidelines for Crumb Rubber Modified Hot Mix Asphalt,
detrimental at times to the quality of bituminous road Federal Highway Administration Report DTFH61-94-C-
pavements. 00035, August 1996.
11. Huang, B., Mohammad, L.N., Graves, P.S., and Abadie, C.,
CRMB should not be promoted for the sake of Louisiana Experience with Crumb Rubber Modified Ht-Mix
Asphalt Pavements, TRB, Transportation Research Record
disposing discarded tyres because there are many other 1789, 2002.
uses. Whole or shredded tyres have been used in the
12. Ichniowski, T., Noise in the House over Rubber in the
US for combustion to produce electricity and as fuel in Road, Engineering News Record, 24 May 1993.
lieu of coal in brick and lime kilns. Pound by pound 13. Kandhal, P.S. and Hanson, D.I., Crumb Rubber Modifier
tyre has more BTU than coal. Tyres have also been Technologies, Federal Highway Administration Crumb
used in highway related applications including fills, Rubber Modifier Workshop Manual, March 1993.
embankments, erosion control devices, slope 14. Kandhal, P. S., Asphalt-Rubber: Where It Stands, Better
protection, and safety hardware. Tyres are being Roads, Vol. 63, Issue 5, 1993.
shredded and pieces are being used already as a fuel in 15. Kandhal, P.S., Waste Materials in Hot Mix Asphalt: An
Overview, ASTM, Special Technical Publication 1193, 1993.
lieu of coal in brick kilns in India.
16. Kandhal, P.S., Selection of Bitumen for Paving Highways
in India, Indian Roads Congress, Indian Highways, Vol.33,
CRMB should also not be promoted to increase No.7, July 2005.
the stiffness of the 60/70 penetration bitumen because 17. Loh, S.W., Kim, S., and Bahia, H.U., Characterization of
substituting viscosity-graded AC-30 bitumen for 60/70 Simple and Complex Crumb Rubber Modified Binders,
bitumen, which is long overdue, will serve the same Wisconsin DOT Report WI/SPR-07-01, Final Report, July
purpose without any increase in cost. 2000.
18. Palit, S.K., Reddy, K.S., and Pandey, B.B., Laboratory
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