Comparative investigation on the reinforcing effects of polymer-based fiber into bituminous mixtures

This paper reports the results of a laboratory investigation on the reinforcing effects of fibers into bituminous mixtures, in which neat bitumen is used as binder. The investigated fibers were selected in the European market and were composed of polymer compounds. For comparative purposes, a polymer-modified bituminous mixture was included in the study. Laboratory tests investigated compaction characteristics, and mechanical performance of the bituminous mixtures. The results suggest that mixtures bounded with neat bitumen and reinforced with fibers exhibit same performance, or even better, than the one in which polymer-modified bitumen is used.