Fuel resistance of bituminous binders

Abstract: The solubility of bituminous binders in oil-derived products is a primary cause of pavement damage in airport systems, filling stations, parking lots and industrial plants, where fuel spillage may occur. The chapter first introduces the solutions proposed and adopted in order to overcome this problem and the tests normally employed to quantitatively describe and measure solubility. Then, the effect of three common bitumen modifiers, i.e. thermoplastic polymers, crumb tyre rubber and waxes, on bitumen solubility is broadly described. In each of the three cases, the mechanism by which the modifier influences the binder solubility is hypothesized and discussed.