Use of Synthetic Fibers in Asphalt Pavements-Mini Review

Asphalt pavements are the most widely used pavement type due to their comfort, fast construction and various advantages over other pavements. Although the visco-elastic and thermo-plastic behavior of the bituminous binder, which is one of the asphalt pavement materials, provides advantages such as the elasticity of the asphalt pavement against small deformations, it can cause the formation of rutting problems at high temperatures. On the other hand, high tensile stresses may occur due to the plastic behavior of the bituminous mixture and cracks may occur in the asphalt pavement in cold climates and regions where temperature changes are rapid and high. Various additives can be used against major problems such as rutting, water damage and cracking problems in asphalt pavements. Despite the positive effects of these additives at medium and high temperatures, a high effect is generally not achieved in terms of low temperature cracking problem. Fiber additives come to the fore in this sense. Synthetic fibers can increase the crack resistance of asphalt pavements at low temperatures and increase the life of the pavement with their adhesion and high tensile strength with bitumen. In this study, a general evaluation will be made on the use of synthetic fiber in asphalt pavements. Synthetic fibers used in asphalt pavements and their properties, the effect of fiber diameter and length, proportional addition amounts and addition techniques will be investigated.