Modeling of rubber swelling in bituminous binders

Abstract

Rubber swelling plays an important role in the property development of rubberized binders during bitumen-rubber interactions. Laboratory tests have shown that swelling of rubber in bitumen is a Multiphysics phenomenon which consists of liquid diffusion and solid volume expansion. Finite element model of rubber swelling was built to couple the above physics. The swelling process of rubber in bitumen was visualized using FEM software COMSOL. It was confirmed that rubber swelling is time and temperature dependent. More accurate model inputs and simulation at various interaction conditions will provide guidelines for material selection and sample preparation.