Rubber-Modified Asphalt for Enhanced Performance in Extreme Heat

Abstract

The quality of bitumen, a critical constituent of asphalt mixtures, is significantly influenced by its 
chemical composition and production process. Libya's extensive road network, much of which lies in 
desert areas, suffers from rutting and cracking due to extreme temperature variations. This study aims to 
enhance asphalt properties by adding rubber. A comprehensive test program, conducted according to 
German and European standards, demonstrated that rubber-modified asphalt exhibits improved hightemperature stability, low-temperature behavior, and bonding capacity. Specifically, rubber-modified 
asphalt showed a 7% increase in stability and a 46% reduction in rutting depth compared to conventional 
asphalt. The improved resistance to water and cracking further validates the efficacy of rubber 
modification in asphalt.