Rutting Resistance Evaluation of Composite Modified Asphalt Mixtures: A Response Surface Methodology Approach

Pavement service life and performance generally depends on the quality of the structural pavement layer materials used. In this research, the materials polyethylene, polypropylene and nanosilica materials were used to prepare a nanocomposite modified asphalt mixtures. The study develops models and examined the properties of these materials to obtain optimum quantities for reducing rutting depth through optimization technique. For this purpose, a Response Surface Methodology (RSM) was utilized based on Box Behnken design (BBD) method. Also, in this study, and interaction effects of independent polymer variables and nanosilica on rutting depth were evaluated. The outcome of this investigation shows that the individual effects of polymers and nanosilica particles are both significant in rutting depth reduction, however, nanosilica particles content is found to be more significant in reduction of rutting depth. Model error analysis indicates that the mean error obtained from results of optimization are less than 5% for all responses, this shows that predicted values are in real agreement with experimental results. Moreover, conclusion drawn from the study shows that the design and optimisation of polymer nanocomposite asphalt mixture using RSM is a very efficient and effective approach.