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Development of Debonding-Resistant SBS-Silane Warm Mix Asphalt for Hot and Humid Pavement Conditions with Poor
Byung-Sik Ohm1, Carlo Elipse1, Tri Ho Minh Le2
1Department of Highway & Transportation Research, Korea Institute of Civil Engineering and Building Technology, 283 Goyang-daero, Ilsanseo-gu, Goyang-si 10223, Republic of Korea.
Polymers
|June 26, 2026
Summary
This study developed a polymer-modified Warm Mix Asphalt (WMA) system using styrene-butadiene-styrene (SBS) and silane additives to combat moisture-induced debonding in hot, humid climates. The optimized system significantly improved pavement durability and reduced costs.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Civil Engineering
- Polymer Chemistry
Background:
- Asphalt pavements in hot and humid regions face severe moisture-induced debonding, particularly when using Warm Mix Asphalt (WMA) with suboptimal aggregates or gradations.
- This issue is exacerbated by the need for durable and cost-effective pavement solutions in regions like Southeast Asia.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and evaluate an anti-stripping focused polymer-modified WMA system utilizing styrene-butadiene-styrene (SBS) and a silane-based liquid additive.
- To assess the combined effects of SBS (binder cohesion) and silane (interfacial adhesion) on pavement performance under poor gradation conditions.
Main Methods:
- Systematic variation of SBS content (4.0-5.0%) and silane dosage (0-0.15%).
- Comprehensive testing including Multiple Stress Creep Recovery (MSCR), Marshall stability, Indirect Tensile Strength (ITS) (dry/wet), Tensile Strength Ratio (TSR), Hamburg Wheel Tracking, Semi-Circular Bending (SCB), and Overlay Test.
- Evaluation of binder-level, mixture-level, durability, and cost-efficiency.
Main Results:
- The optimized mixture (S4.5-Si0.10) demonstrated superior performance with a dry ITS of 0.94 MPa, wet ITS of 0.80 MPa, TSR of 85.1%, and Marshall stability of 13.8 kN.
- SBS improved binder cohesion, while silane enhanced interfacial adhesion without compromising binder performance.
- The optimized SBS-silane WMA significantly reduced Hamburg final settlement (by 54.7%), increased SCB fracture energy (from 1.34 J to 5.20 J), and improved load retention.
Conclusions:
- A balanced SBS-silane WMA system effectively enhances debonding resistance and durability in hot and humid pavement environments.
- The developed system offers a cost-effective solution, reducing the annualized cost index by 27.2%.
- This approach provides a viable strategy for improving the longevity of asphalt pavements facing challenging climatic and material conditions.
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