Utilising cellulose fibre in stone mastic asphalt

Abstract

In this study, the optimum amount of cellulose fibre (CF) use was evaluated to better understand its influence on the volumetric design parameters of stone mastic asphalt (SMA) with polymer-modified bitumen (PMB). SMA-PMB specimens were manufactured, and their primary volumetric properties were compared with those of the respective SMA-PMB mixtures without CF. The results revealed that the addition of CF as a stabilising agent increased the optimal binder content, voids in the mineral aggregate, and voids filled with binder but decreased air voids and bulk specific gravity. The results suggest that the utilisation of CF, along with an increased optimum binder content, slightly increased the primary manufacturing cost of SMAs.