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Polymer Materials in Road Engineering: Performance Evolution and Mechanisms

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A special issue of Polymers (ISSN 2073-4360). This special issue belongs to the section "Polymer Applications".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 July 2026 | Viewed by 1793

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Special Issue Editors

Dr. Yujing Chen

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Guest Editor

Key Laboratory for Special Area Highway Engineering of Ministry of Education, Chang'an University, Xi'an 710064, China
Interests: polymer-modified asphalt; cool pavement technology; smart pavement; urban heat island mitigation; integration of transportation and energy

Dr. Wenxiu Jiao

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Guest Editor

School of Highway, Chang’an University, Xi’an 710064, China
Interests: road engineering materials and structures; eco-friendly pavement materials; functional pavement implementations; sustainable materials for asphalt pavement
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Dr. Wangjie Wu

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Guest Editor

School of Materials Science and Engineering, Chang’an University, South 2nd Ring Road Middle Section, Xi’an 710064, China
Interests: pavement engineering; asphalt materials; rheological properties; recycling; polymer modification; smart pavement
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Dr. Yangsen Cao

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Guest Editor

School of Highway, Chang’an University, Xi’an 710064, China
Interests: pavement engineering; pavement materials; eco-friendly pavement materials; functional pavement; smart pavement

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

This Special Issue aims to explore the latest advancements in polymer material applications in road engineering. We cordially invite submissions focusing on the design, synthesis, and modification of polymer-based materials (including modified asphalt and sealing, composite, and smart materials) for road construction and maintenance. Topics covered include performance characterization, structure–performance relationships, durability assessment, environmental impact evaluation, and engineering application case studies. This Special Issue strives to bridge the gap between materials science innovation and engineering practice, addressing challenges in material performance regulation, sustainability, and long-term service life. Original research papers and review articles are welcome. This Special Issue will provide a platform for researchers and engineers to exchange ideas and jointly promote the development of polymer materials technology in the field of road infrastructure.

Dr. Yujing Chen
Dr. Wenxiu Jiao
Dr. Wangjie Wu
Dr. Yangsen Cao
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Polymers is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

polymeric composites
thermodynamic properties
polymer-modified binder
cool pavement
snow-melting pavement
phase change materials
thermal stability
thermo-rheological properties
self-healing pavement
deicing technology
sustainable pavement materials

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Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

25 pages, 2268 KB

Open AccessArticle

Experimental Evaluation and Prediction of the Dynamic Modulus of Crumb Rubber-Modified Stone Mastic Asphalt Mixtures

by Muhammad Irfan, Saif Ullah Khan Wazir, Muhammad Asif Khan, Sarfraz Ahmed and Zain Maqsood

Polymers 2026, 18(10), 1249; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym18101249 - 20 May 2026

Abstract

Increased and excessive axle loads (exceeding design specifications) at high temperatures stimulate premature distresses in flexible pavements. This study utilizes the novelty of engineered bituminous composite—crumb rubber-modified (CRM) stone mastic asphalt (SMA) for pavement longevity and sustainable performance. Dynamic modulus testing was employed at four temperatures and six frequency sweeps. The experimental design included the preparation of SMA 19 specimens with six different percentages of crumb rubber (CR) mixed in bitumen. CR addition to the mix translated into an improved stiffness of the mix, as a 64% increase in dynamic modulus (on average) was reported at 10% CR as compared to a neat mixture. Master curves were produced using |E*| test results, which revealed that 10% modified SMA was relatively stiffer and more rut-resistant than the other mixtures. Performance prediction models were developed for |E*| using artificial neural networks (ANNs) and non-linear regression, wherein the former proved to be more robust. Sensitivity analysis revealed that a temperature rise (21.1 to 37.8 °C) translated into a 65% drop in |E*| (on average) and a rise in frequency (0.1 to 25 Hz) divulged a 72% upsurge in |E*| (on average). This research demonstrates the promise of deploying CR SMA mixtures, particularly for high-traffic and heavy-load scenarios. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Polymer Materials in Road Engineering: Performance Evolution and Mechanisms)

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25 pages, 1290 KB

Open AccessArticle

Gradation Design of Epoxy–Asphalt Mixtures for Steel Bridge Deck Pavements Optimized for Skid Resistance in Hot and Humid Climates

by Peidong Du, Qinghua He, Zhenqiang Han, Qiang Zhang, Chuan Xiong and Yujie Zhang

Polymers 2026, 18(9), 1088; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym18091088 - 29 Apr 2026

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Abstract

To address the pronounced degradation of skid resistance in steel bridge deck pavements exposed to hot, humid, and rainy environments, this study investigates an EA-10 epoxy–asphalt mixture and proposes a gradation design method with skid resistance as the primary performance objective. An orthogonal experimental design was employed to systematically analyze different combinations of sieve passing rates, and after determining an optimum asphalt–aggregate ratio of 6.25%, the skid resistance of the mixtures under various service conditions was evaluated using macrotexture depth, dry friction coefficient, and water-film friction coefficient. The results demonstrate that the formation of skid resistance follows a mechanism in which the macroscopic framework and microscopic pores interact synergistically. The passing rate of the 4.75 mm sieve is the dominant factor governing macrotexture depth, while the 0.3 mm sieve plays a critical regulating role in texture development; meanwhile, the passing rates of the 2.36 mm and 0.6 mm sieves exert a decisive influence on both dry and water-film friction coefficients. When the passing rates of the 4.75 mm, 0.3 mm, 2.36 mm, and 0.6 mm sieves are approximately 70%, 26.5%, 58–61%, and 34%, respectively, the mixture exhibits superior overall skid-resistance performance. Based on the evaluation results of the International Friction Index (IFI), the optimized gradation shows a more stable level of skid resistance under wet and slippery conditions. These findings provide quantitative evidence and engineering guidance for the skid-resistance-oriented gradation design of epoxy–asphalt mixtures used in steel bridge deck pavements in hot and humid regions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Polymer Materials in Road Engineering: Performance Evolution and Mechanisms)

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28 pages, 23768 KB

Open AccessArticle

Multi-Scale Performance Assessment of Asphalt Mixtures Modified with Waste PVC Foils of Varying Geometries

by Ufuk Kırbaş, Erol İskender, Tuba Kütük-Sert, Faridullah Hayat and Sezai Kütük

Polymers 2026, 18(8), 993; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym18080993 - 19 Apr 2026

Viewed by 468

Abstract

While the utilization of waste polymers in asphalt mixtures is widely studied, the specific influence of additive geometry on performance mechanisms remains underexplored. This study presents a multi-scale performance assessment of asphalt mixtures modified with waste Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) foils. Waste PVC foils were processed into two distinct geometries, “Wiry” and “Random”, and incorporated into mixture at dosages ranging from 5% to 12.5% by weight of bitumen via the dry process. At the macro-scale, Semi-Circular Bending, Hamburg Wheel Tracking, Repeated Creep, and Modified Lottman tests were conducted. At the micro-scale, Scanning Electron Microscopy and EDS analyses were employed to investigate interfacial adhesion. The results demonstrated that the “Wiry” geometry significantly outperformed the “Random” by establishing a three-dimensional reinforcement network. Specifically, the mixture modified with 7.5% “Wiry” PVC yielded the highest Flexibility Index of 24.17, representing a 3.7-fold improvement. Furthermore, this optimum dosage enhanced high-temperature stability and maintained moisture resistance (TSR > 85%), whereas dosages exceeding 10% caused agglomeration and performance loss. Microstructural imaging indicated that the fibrous morphology and calcite-rich surface of the “Wiry” additive facilitate superior mechanical interlocking. Consequently, this study suggests that optimizing waste PVC geometry is as critical as dosage for maximizing the durability and sustainability of flexible pavements. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Polymer Materials in Road Engineering: Performance Evolution and Mechanisms)

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12 pages, 1100 KB

Open AccessArticle

Assessment of Flexible Pavement Containing Rubberized Asphalt

by Noorance Al-Mukaram, Tariq Al-Mansoori, Ali M. Lafta, Karzan Ismael and Pooyan Ayar

Polymers 2026, 18(8), 927; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym18080927 - 10 Apr 2026

Viewed by 548

Abstract

This work deals with a practical method of using crumb rubber resulting from waste tires to produce modified bitumen via a wet mixing method for road construction in Iraq. Due to wide variation in temperatures and over-loading traffic in Iraq, rutting deformation is the most observed structural pavement problem. Also, tire wear and tear are higher in Iraq than in other countries due to high temperature and dry weather most of the year, which makes considerable amounts of waste tire piles easily accessible. Utilizing this waste material could be crucial to the environment and economy of the country, as well as to the sustainability of resources. Using waste tire materials as bitumen modifiers in the production of hot mix asphalt is a widely practiced experiment, although it is applied differently depending on the weather, type of bitumen used, and its availability. In the methodology of this research, it is suggested to modify asphalt grades 60/70 by a certain amount of crumb rubber (5–20%). The modified asphalt and asphalt grade 40/50 were used in preparing two types of asphalt concretes to examine their volumetric properties and evaluate their rutting behavior. The results for both mixtures were compared to the Iraqi General Specifications for Roads and Bridges (SORB/R9). The findings showed significant improvements in Marshall stability and flow, as well as in the percentages of voids satisfied in the modified mixture. After using rubberized asphalt in the mixture, the rutting depth was recorded below 20 mm and decreased by 30% and 26% at temperatures of 40 °C and 60 °C, respectively, compared to the controlled mixture. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Polymer Materials in Road Engineering: Performance Evolution and Mechanisms)

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