Benefits of Gilsonite in Asphalt Pavement

SCIENTIFIC STUDY PROVES GILSONITE BENEFITS IN ASPHALT PAVEMENT

A 2015 study by the Western Regional Super Pave Center at the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering of the University of Nevada, Reno, proved that Gilsonite-modified binders significantly extend the useful life of asphalt pavement. This is good news for agencies looking to reduce the long-term costs of asphalt pavement maintenance.

Findings from comprehensive testing demonstrated that Gilsonite-modified binders showed significant improvement in:

Tensile strength – The addition of Gilsonite significantly increased both the unconditioned and moisture-conditioned tensile strength.

Compressive strength – Gilsonite-modified binders showed significant improvement in compressive strength.

Rutting strength – Gilsonite-modified binders significantly increased projected pavement life. In all but one case, adding Gilsonite yielded a ten-fold increase.

Fatigue resistance – The projected pavement life is 1.5 to 5 times longer with the Gilsonite-modified binders.

                 

Gilsonite reduces material and saves money

Gilsonite increases the viscosity of asphalt so roadways resist deformation and fatigue, even under temperature extremes – unlike other modifications or high modulus asphalt based on RAP.

Industry reports of Gilsonite-modified asphalt lasting more than twice as long as unmodified mixtures is common. In addition, the high modulus provided by Gilsonite allows the base and binder courses to be up to 20% thinner while still providing the same level of performance, enabling the use of less material. Gilsonite can also act as a lower-cost, performance-enhancing extender in a mixture including SBS polymers.

By significantly extending the useful life of asphalt pavement and allowing a reduction in the amount of paving material required, Gilsonite has proven to offer substantial cost effectiveness.

                                 

 Gilsonite is superior for recycling asphalt

Only Gilsonite-modified binder bonds with and stabilizes recycled binder, making recycled asphalt as strong and durable as new. By contrast, polymer-modified binders form large molecules that cross-link into a matrix that recycled binder cannot bond with, leaving pavement vulnerable to breakdown.

                       

No other additive can match all the benefits of Gilsonite:

High strength and fatigue resistance

Reduced temperature susceptibility

Superior deformation resistance

Increased resistance to water stripping

Reduced pavement thickness

Safe and environmentally responsible

 Gilsonite is proven to perform

Gilsonite unique properties make a road that is less susceptible to high-temperature and deformation performance issues. Gilsonite can be added directly at the hot mix plant without additional equipment.

Gilsonite makes roads stronger

To last longer Compared to a typical road that might last 10 years, Gilsonite produces a stronger, better-bonded asphalt that can last 25 years.