Improving Urban Infrastructure: Crumb Rubber Modified Asphalt

Abstract

Roads are believed to be one of the most important elements in urban infrastructure and their role in our everyday life has increased over the years due to their crucial contribution to economic development and growth apart from bringing important social benefits. Modifying the asphalt used in road construction with recycled polymers such as crumb rubber leads to an improvement in its properties and reduces its cost. This paper aims to study the raw materials used in its production and the different methods to produce the crumb rubber modified asphalt (CRMA), physical and rheological properties of CRMA, ananalysis of pavement distress, and advantages and benefits of its use. In the studies reviewed, it was found that CRMA improved every physical and rheological property as well as the fatigue and rutting resistance. Overall, the results indicate that the use of scrap tire rubber in asphalt not only helps recycle rubber waste, but also improves the engineering properties of this flexible pavement to get multiple benefits.