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Comparative Review of Marshall and Superpave Mix Designs: Enhancing Asphalt Performance with Polymers
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Researchers systematically compared Marshall and Superpave asphalt mix design methods with and without polymer-modified bitumen, finding that Superpave better captures long-term performance under traffic loading while polymer additives consistently improve rutting resistance and fatigue life across both protocols.
The durability of asphalt pavements is crucial for sustainable road infrastructures. This systematic review compares the Marshall and Superpave asphalt mix design protocols, with a particular focus on the integration of polymer-modified bitumen (PMB) and rejuvenators. Although the Marshall method remains widely used for its simplicity and cost-efficiency, its empirical basis limits its effectiveness to meet modern pavement performance demands. In contrast, the Superpave system offers improved resistance to rutting, longer fatigue life, and better mitigation of moisture damage. The review traces the evolution of asphalt mix design, identifies current challenges, and emphasizes the need for transitioning toward performance-based frameworks. Special attention is given to the incorporation of polymers such as Styrene-Butadiene-Styrene (SBS), Styrene-Butadiene-Rubber (SBR), and Polyethylene (PE), which significantly enhance the mechanical properties of asphalt mixtures. The role of rejuvenators in restoring aged binders and enabling pavement recycling is also examined. Finally, the manuscript provides strategic recommendations for adopting Superpave to enhance pavement durability and reduce lifecycle maintenance costs. Overall, this comprehensive review advances knowledge on asphalt mix design, fostering innovation and sustainability while promoting long-term resilience in road pavement infrastructures.
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Recent Advances in Polymer-Modified and Plastic-Reinforced Asphalt: A Comprehensive Review of Performance, Rheology, and Sustainability
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Researchers reviewed recent developments in polymer-modified and plastic-reinforced asphalt systems, synthesising findings on performance enhancement, rheological behaviour, and sustainability implications of incorporating recycled plastics and polymer modifiers into asphalt binders and mixtures.
Recent Advances in Polymer-Modified and Plastic-Reinforced Asphalt: A Comprehensive Review of Performance, Rheology, and Sustainability
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This review consolidates advances from 2020-2025 in polymer-modified asphalt systems — covering elastomeric and plastomeric modifiers, recycled plastic incorporation, rheological characterisation, and environmental implications — to evaluate how plastic reinforcement of asphalt can improve pavement durability while supporting sustainability goals.
Recent Advances in Polymer-Modified and Plastic-Reinforced Asphalt: A Comprehensive Review of Performance, Rheology, and Sustainability
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This review examines recent advances in polymer-modified and plastic-reinforced asphalt, evaluating how elastomeric modifiers, plastomeric modifiers, and recycled plastic integration affect pavement performance, rheological properties, and environmental sustainability across studies published from 2020 to 2025.
Sustainable Polymers from Recycled Waste Plastics and Their Virgin Counterparts as Bitumen Modifiers: A Comprehensive Review
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This review comprehensively examined the use of both recycled waste plastics and virgin polymers as bitumen modifiers for road pavements, evaluating how different polymer types improve pavement performance and service life.
The Use of Recycled Plastic in Asphalt Pavements: Feasibility Study
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A feasibility study found that incorporating recycled waste plastics into asphalt via a dry-process method improved rutting and moisture-damage resistance when aggregates were pre-heated to higher temperatures. Diverting waste plastics into road construction represents a promising strategy to reduce the volume of plastic waste that would otherwise degrade into environmental microplastics.
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When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.