Advances in Modifications Processes of Bitumen and Asphalt Mixtures

A special issue of Processes (ISSN 2227-9717). This special issue belongs to the section "Materials Processes".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 10 May 2026 | Viewed by 5639

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
Department of Civil Engineering, University of Bahrain, Sakhir 32038, Bahrain
Interests: transportation engineering; pavement engineering; experimental design; asphalt modifications; predictive modeling

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Guest Editor
Lyles School of Civil Engineering, Purdue University, 550 W Stadium Avenue, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA
Interests: pavement engineering; machine learning; data science; asphalt performance

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Transportation infrastructure is a vital part of any country’s assets and plays a significant role in its economic development and social interactions. Presently, the majority of this infrastructure is made up of flexible pavements wherein the asphalt or bitumen mixtures constitute perhaps the most important part. These mixtures are used in the top layer, which provides the protection to the structural layers below it, withstands the effects of weather and tire friction and facilitate movement of vehicles by ensuring the required riding quality. The recognizing the importance of bituminous materials, a lot of attention has been given to the improvement of their strength, their durability, and reducing their environmental impact. These efforts have largely focused on modifying bituminous materials, with or without aggregates, with the addition of foreign materials, which include recycled and new materials. As these efforts continue, there is a greater need for showcasing them on a unified platform so that the future research can be guided accordingly.

Therefore, this Special Issue on “Advances in Modifications Processes of Bitumen and Asphalt Mixtures” seeks high quality works focusing on performance investigation of different aspects of bituminous materials with the addition of different non-traditional materials. Topics include, but are not limited to the following:

  • Experimental investigation on asphalt and bitumen mixtures;
  • Use of recycled materials in pavements;
  • Performance evaluation of bitumen and asphalt;
  • Changes in chemical and rheological properties of asphalt with the addition of new materials;
  • Construction methods for modified asphalt mixtures;
  • Testing procedures for asphalt mixtures;
  • Reducing environmental impact of road construction;
  • Innovative uses of modified asphalt and its mixtures;

Dr. Uneb Gazdar
Dr. Abdullah Al Mamun
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • road infrastructure
  • asphalt
  • bituminous materials
  • surface layer
  • lab testing
  • strength
  • durability
  • chemical properties
  • rheological properties
  • field procedures

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

23 pages, 4319 KB  
Article
Performance Evaluation of Asphalt Concrete Incorporating Polyethylene Terephthalate-Coated Steel Slag Using Marshall Stability, Indirect Tensile Strength, and Moisture Susceptibility Tests
by Mahiman Zinnurain, Md. Kamrul Hasan Kawsar, Md. Mizanur Rahman, Md. Kamrul Islam, Md. Arifuzzaman and Mohammad Anwar Parvez
Processes 2025, 13(9), 2862; https://doi.org/10.3390/pr13092862 - 7 Sep 2025
Viewed by 2811
Abstract
This study evaluates the performance of asphalt concrete incorporating steel slag aggregates coated with recycled polyethylene terephthalate (PET). The aim was to enhance adhesion between aggregate and binder while addressing environmental concerns related to waste management. Laboratory testing was carried out to assess [...] Read more.
This study evaluates the performance of asphalt concrete incorporating steel slag aggregates coated with recycled polyethylene terephthalate (PET). The aim was to enhance adhesion between aggregate and binder while addressing environmental concerns related to waste management. Laboratory testing was carried out to assess Marshall stability, indirect tensile strength, and tensile strength ratio, which are commonly used indicators of strength and moisture resistance in asphalt mixtures. The results showed that PET coating enhanced binder-aggregate bonding, resulting in higher stability, which indicates an improved resistance to plastic deformation and moisture damage compared to uncoated slag mixtures. Among the tested combinations, the mixes containing 20% slag with 10% PET and 30% slag with 15% PET demonstrated the most balanced performance. These mixes achieved greater durability while maintaining satisfactory strength values, indicating that PET-coated slag can serve as an effective partial replacement for natural aggregates in asphalt concrete. The study also highlights that the approach can help reduce reliance on natural stone, lower construction costs, and promote recycling of industrial byproducts and plastic waste. This contributes to more sustainable pavement practices while addressing issues of waste disposal and environmental degradation. The findings suggest that PET-coated steel slag can be considered a practical and resource-efficient material for asphalt mixtures. The research not only adds technical evidence to the growing interest in waste-based construction materials but also provides guidance for adopting such methods in developing countries, where cost and sustainability are critical factors. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Modifications Processes of Bitumen and Asphalt Mixtures)
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19 pages, 3731 KB  
Article
Predicting Indirect Tensile Strength of Rejuvenated Asphalt Mixes Using Machine Learning with High Reclaimed Asphalt Pavement Content
by Abdullah Al Mamun, Uneb Gazder, Md Kamrul Islam, Md Arifuzzaman, Hamad Al-Abdul Wahhab and Muhammad Muhitur Rahman
Processes 2025, 13(5), 1489; https://doi.org/10.3390/pr13051489 - 13 May 2025
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Abstract
Predicting the performance of hot mix asphalt (HMA) is crucial for ensuring pavement durability, especially as the use of rejuvenated reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP) increases in sustainable construction. Indirect tensile strength (ITS) is a critical parameter that indicates a pavement’s resistance to cracking [...] Read more.
Predicting the performance of hot mix asphalt (HMA) is crucial for ensuring pavement durability, especially as the use of rejuvenated reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP) increases in sustainable construction. Indirect tensile strength (ITS) is a critical parameter that indicates a pavement’s resistance to cracking and distress under traffic loads. This study developed statistical and machine learning models—linear regression, support vector machine (SVM), and artificial neural network (ANN)—to predict ITS and ITS loss in RAP-incorporated HMA rejuvenated with waste cooking oil (WCO) and waste engine oil (WEO). The models used key input variables, including rejuvenator type and the composition of asphalt, rejuvenator, and RAP. Results showed that WCO increased initial ITS, while WEO enhanced durability by reducing ITS loss. Additionally, lower RAP and asphalt content contributed to improved pavement durability. Among the predictive models, ANN demonstrated the highest accuracy, exhibiting lower error metrics and less variation in scatterplots compared to regression and SVM models. The only exception was ITS loss percentage prediction, where the mean absolute error was nearly identical across all models. These predictive models provide valuable insights for designing and testing modified asphalt mixtures, particularly those containing RAP. By optimizing mix design and enabling proactive maintenance strategies, they contribute to the development of more durable and sustainable pavement infrastructure with the provision of accurate and workable models for prediction of ITS and loss prediction which can be used for design. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Modifications Processes of Bitumen and Asphalt Mixtures)
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