INVESTIGATING THE USE OF GUM ARABIC BIOPOLYMER AS BITUMEN MODIFIER

Civil engineering

Polymer modification of bitumen is increasingly popular for enhancing pavement performance to meet global construction standards. Conventional binders often fail due to issues like rutting, cracking, and temperature susceptibility. Due to environmental, safety, and economic concerns with petroleum-based polymers, biopolymers like Gum Arabic are becoming preferred alternatives. Gum Arabic biopolymer is used to modify bitumen to improve its engineering, mechanical, thermal, and rheological properties. Tests such as Penetration, Softening Point, Ductility, and Marshall Stability are conducted on both virgin and modified binders, with Gum Arabic added in varying percentages (2%, 4%, 6%, 8%, and 10%).The study found that adding up to 4% Gum Arabic (GA) improves the penetration grade of bitumen. However, ductility and softening point decrease as GA content increases, while flash point and viscosity increase. The fire point remains unaffected by GA. A 4% GA content is recommended for construction, though further research is needed to fully understand GA's effects in asphalt.

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