Journal of Transportation Research

Journal of Transportation Research

Evaluating fuel-resistant asphalt mixtures for usage in airport pavement

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
Ali Nasrollahtabar Ahangar 1
Rezvan Babagoli 2
Mohammad Mahdi Ghasemi 3
1 Assistant Professor, Department of Civil Engineering, Aryan Institute of Science and Technology, Babol, Mazandaran, Iran.
2 Assistant Professor, Department of Civil Engineering, University of Science and Technology of Mazandaran, Behshahr, Mazandaran, Iran.
3 M.Sc., Student, Department of Civil Engineering, Aryan Institute of Science and Technology, Babol, Mazandaran, Iran.
10.22034/tri.2025.556294.3396
Abstract
The main purpose of pavement construction is to provide a smooth and safe surface for vehicle traffic. This surface must not only possess sufficient durability against traffic loading but also exhibit adequate resistance to environmental and climatic factors. Asphalt mixtures are composed of aggregates, filler, and bitumen; however, with time and degradation of their constituents, their resistance to sunlight, moisture, and chemical agents decreases. Since bitumen acts as the binding agent in the aggregate skeleton, its quality deterioration leads to a loss of adhesion and premature pavement failure. Moreover, exposure of asphalt surfaces to fuels and petroleum-derived oils softens the bitumen and accelerates surface erosion.

Two dense-graded asphalt mixtures (0–19 mm and 0–12 mm) were prepared using both a conventional binder and an SBS-modified binder with a performance grade of PG 82-22, equivalent to PG 82-28FR as recommended by FAA Item P-404. Laboratory tests including fuel resistance, tensile strength ratio (TSR), and wheel tracking were conducted. The results revealed that the use of polymer-modified bitumen significantly enhanced the durability of asphalt mixtures against gasoline exposure, improved moisture resistance (Tensile Strength Ratio, TSR), and reduced permanent deformation (rutting susceptibility). For mixtures with 0–19 mm gradation, polymer modification led to a 65.6% reduction in fuel-induced damage, a 32.3% increase in TSR, and a 28% reduction in rutting depth compared with the control mix. For the 0–12 mm mixtures, reductions of 51.1% in fuel damage, 27.5% improvement in TSR, and 21.9% reduction in rutting were observed. These findings clearly demonstrate the significant role of polymer modification in enhancing the durability and functional stability of asphalt mixtures under environmental exposure and contact with petroleum fuels.
Keywords
: Asphalt pavement
Polymer-modified asphalt
Fuel-induced degradation
Bituminous binder
Durability enhancement
Subjects
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