Influence of Ethylene–Vinyl Acetate on the Rheological Behaviour of Bituminous Binder in the Transition Regime

The polymer modification of the binder improves the rutting resistance of the binder. Due to the addition of polymers, the transition of binder from non-Newtonian to Newtonian becomes a point of discussion as mixing and compaction temperature increases due to polymer modification. This study used ethylene–vinyl acetate (EVA) as a modifier. Viscosity graded (VG30) was selected as a base binder. The VG30 binder was treated with 2% EVA to understand the effect on the transition of the binder from non-Newtonian to Newtonian. Shear rate sweep tests were performed on all samples in a rotational viscometer at four different temperatures: 100, 120, 135, and 165 °C. It was seen that VG30 shows Newtonian behaviour at 120 °C and EVA-modified binder at 165 °C, as viscosity changes with the shear rate. The addition of EVA increases mixing and compaction temperature concerning the base binder.