Selection and verification of performance grading

for asphalt binders produced in Jordan

Khalid A. Ghuzlan a & Ghazi G. Al-Khateeb a

a Department of Civil Engineering, Jordan University of
Science and Technology, P.O. Box 3030, Irbid, 22110, Jordan
INTRODUCTION
CURRENT SPECIFICATION
PROBLEMS WITH CURRENT SYSTEM
PROBLEMS WITH CURRENT SYSTEM

Viscosity
- viscous effects only at 60 C

Penetration
- empirical consistency only at 25 C

No Low Temperature Properties Measured

Problems with Modified Asphalt Characterization
Specification Proliferation
Long Term Aging not Considered
OBJECTIVE
PERFORMANCE GRADE
TESTING
TEST RESULT
PAVEMENT TEMPERATUR
MODEL
TEMPERATURE DATA
GENERATE TEMPERATURE
MODEL
TEMPERATUR CONTOUR
PG - CONTOUR
 CONCLUSION
There are two main climatic zones in Jordan.
On the basis of the DSR and BBR test results and according to the
Superpave asphalt binder classifi- cation system. the two main
types of original asphalt binders produced by the JPR are classified
as PG 64-16 for the 60/70 penetration grade asphalt and PG 58-16
for the 85/100 penetration grade asphalt binder.
On the basis of the analysis and results of this study, modification
to the asphalt binder produced in Jordan will be needed to satisfy
the required binder grade for some climatic areas in Jordan such as
epolene EE2 polymer and Styrene Butadiene Styrene (SBS)
modifiers.
Due to the fact that Jordans climate is not as extreme as the US
climate in the low temperature region, the direct tension test was
not needed in this study, the BBR stiffness of the asphalt binders
tested at low temperatures in these regions did not exceed 50 MPa.
 CONCLUSION
Currently, JPR produces original binders classified as PG 64-
16 and PG 58-16; however, based on the results of this study
it is found that PG 64-10 and PG 70-10 are the required
performance grades in Jordan. Therefore, it is recommended
that the JPR should start producing asphalt binders that
satisfy Jordans climatic conditions.

According to Superpave specifications, binder grade should

be pumped one or two grades at slower speeds or very
heavy traffic. Therefore, it is recommended that the JPR
should provide different binder grades for such special
conditions using some modifiers to the fresh asphalt binder
such as epolene EE2 polymer and SBS modifiers to improve
the high PG grade