Evaluation of bitumen modification with crumb rubber obtained through a high pressure water jet (HPWJ) process

This work evaluates the impact of bitumen modification using a crumb rubber material obtained from scrap tires through a new high pressure water jet (HPWJ) technique. This crumb rubber has smaller particle sizes than the material obtained through more traditional processes, which could improve some relevant properties of the rubber-modified bitumen. The impact of different modification dosages on the basic and rheological properties of a base bitumen were evaluated, and the dynamic modulus, indirect tensile strength and resistance to permanent deformation of asphalt concretes fabricated with the new HPWJ asphalt rubber were quantified and compared with those obtained for conventional asphalt mixtures. The results suggest that the new crumb rubber is a high-quality material that could be used in road construction applications.