Evaluation of the Performance Characteristics of Synthetic Fiber-Modified Hot Mix Asphalt

Abstract The durability of the pavement is affected by many different factors, such as heavy loads and changes in temperature. Therefore, adding fiber is one of the solutions to strengthen the road’s durability. Fiber addition to asphalt mixes has been shown to be a successful way to increase resistance to permanent deformation, durability, and mechanical performance. This study examines the effects of steel, carbon, and glass fibers at different concentrations of 0.3%, 0.5%, and 0.8% by weight of the total mix. Fibers are used as reinforcing additions to improve the structural integrity of the mixture and as asphalt stabilizers to decrease binder drain-down. The study investigates how fiber type and dose affect important performance metrics such as moisture susceptibility, Marshall stability and flow, indirect tensile strength, and rutting resistance. According to earlier researches, carbon fibers’ high stiffness and adhesive qualities greatly improve tensile strength and rutting resistance. Glass fibers promote durability and water resistance, while steel fibers help with fatigue resistance and load-bearing capability. In order to ascertain the ideal dose for optimizing pavement performance, the impact of variations in fiber content is also examined. The findings show that stability and resistance to deformation are improved by a larger fiber content, with carbon fibers performing better than steel and glass fibers. The study emphasizes how crucial fiber selection and dose optimization are to creating long-lasting and sustainable asphalt pavements.