INNOVATIVE APPLICATION OF ASPHALT CONCRETE MODIFIERS AND FOUNDATION REINFORCEMENT TECHNOLOGY IN CHALLENGING SOIL ENVIRONMENTS

Abstract

This article highlights innovative applications of asphalt concrete modifiers and foundation reinforcement technologies in challenging soil environments. We discuss the problem of reduced lifespan of asphalt concrete pavements on roads, bridges, and airports and attribute this to increased vehicle traffic and dynamic loads. It is known that the service life of asphalt concrete pavements of roads, bridges and airports has been reduced by 2–3 times in the past few decades; more than 90% of the material, labor and energy resources allocated to the road industry are not spent on new construction instead of spending it on the repair and reconstruction of old asphalt concrete pavements. This situation hampered the development of the paved road network. This situation is exacerbated by the continued increase in the carrying capacity and intensity of vehicular traffic, which results in a significant increase in dynamic loads on road surfaces. This article takes an in-depth look at the modification of rubber and rubber compounds using various additives, including multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs), to improve their properties. It discusses how multi-walled carbon nanotubes can be used as modifiers in different elastomer matrices to improve strength and heat resistance. This article presents experimental studies of rubber composites modified with different concentrations of carbon nanotubes, focusing on their physical, mechanical and thermal properties. The use of carbon nanotube (CNT)-modified rubber for asphalt concrete has been particularly explored and advantages such as enhanced durability, noise reduction, and environmental friendliness have been noted. The performance of rubber-modified asphalt is affected by factors such as rubber-asphalt ratio and rubber particle size. In addition, the reconstruction of ground structures has become an urgent issue in recent years. Today, climate change, rapid urbanization and the aging and obsolescence of previous generation buildings have put the reconstruction of ground structures on the agenda. Economic development, social progress and the emergence of new technologies have also provided the possibility for the reconstruction of ground structures in this complex soil environment. The article provides specific solutions to this problem. In summary, this paper proposes solutions for foundation reinforcement and pavement structural reconstruction in difficult soil conditions, highlighting the promise of carbon nanotube-modified asphalt in these applications.