Evaluating the Effect of Rice-Husk Ash and Crumb-Rubber Powder on the High-Temperature Performance of Asphalt Binder

Abstract

The objective of this paper was to evaluate the effect of using rice husk ash (RHA), crumb rubber powder (CRP), and combination of RHA and CRP (RHA/CRP) on the high-temperature performance of asphalt binder. Different dosages of RHA (1%, 4%, and 7%) and CRP (5%, 10%, and 15%) by weight of asphalt binder were used to prepare modified asphalt. Various experimental tests (penetration, ring and ball test, rotational viscosity, dynamic shear rheometer, and multiple stress creep recovery) were conducted. The obtained results indicate that adding RHA and CRP affected the high-temperature performance of asphalt binder positively by increasing softening point, penetration index, viscosity, complex modulus, rutting factor, failure temperature, and percent recovery, reducing penetration, phase angle, as well as nonrecoverable creep compliance (Jnr). Furthermore, the asphalt binder modified with RHA/CRP demonstrated better performance compared to asphalt binders modified with RHA or CRP.