• International Journal of Highway Engineering
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• v.7 no.4 s.26
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• pp.49-56
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• 2005

The effect of modified asphalts is evaluated by simple comparison of a single parameter (i.e., tensile strength, stiffness, etc.) between modified asphalt mixture and unmodified mixture. The use of a single parameter to evaluate the effect of modified asphalt must be questioned. Rather, a single unified framework that accounts for changes in key mixture properties is needed to effectively evaluate the modified asphalt mixtures. This study used a new performance-based fracture parameter as a single unified framework, the Energy Ratio (ER), for quantifying the effect of modified asphalts oil the fracture resistance of mixtures. The Energy Ratio was then used as a performance criterion for calculating the construction cost of two modified asphalt pavements (SBS and Crumb Rubber) and unmodified asphalt pavement. The results showed that the Energy Ratio of SBS modified asphalt was higher than those of crumb rubber and unmodified asphalt. Cost analyses indicated that the construction cost of the AC layer would be reduced by up to 24% by SBS modification. Based on the results, the Energy Ratio is capable of evaluating the effect of modified mixtures, and may form the basis of a promising fracture criterion for performance-based thickness design in asphalt pavements.