ASSESSMENT OF NATURAL PALM FIBERS IN ASPHALT CONCRETE MIXTURES

Abstract

The asphalt paving industry is moving towards environmentally friendly practices of which the use of renewable, and recycled materials is being researched and implemented. One such practice is the use of natural fibers as reinforcement elements in asphalt concrete (AC) mixtures. Commonly used natural fibers, which can be described as threaded-like organic filaments, are preferred over of synthetic fibers because they are locally available, eco-friendly, economical, and spur economic benefits in the agricultural and industrial sectors. It has been found that the use of natural fibers often improves the mechanical behavior and performance of AC which leads to increased durability and extended service life of flexible pavements. This study investigates the effect of using palm fibers in enhancing the performance of AC mixtures. This type of fiber is specifically selected due to the widespread availability of palm trees in countries of the Middle East, Arabian Gulf, and North Africa. The conducted experimental program aims at determining the optimum content and lengths of fibers to be incorporated in the asphalt mixtures, using the results of various laboratory tests including the complex modulus test, flow number test, semi-circular bending test and Cantabro abrasion loss test on asphalt concrete samples. Finally, the effect of adding these fibers on the performance of AC is evaluated using the analysis of variance (ANOVA) statistical technique.