Properties of Coir Fibre Reinforced Bituminous Mixes

The influence of Coir fibre on the rheological properties of fatigue cracking and rutting resistance of
asphaltic materials indigenous to Trinidad, namely Trinidad Lake Asphalt (TLA) and Trinidad
Petroleum Bitumen (TPB) was investigated. This study produced strong rheological evidence for the
possibility of producing specially formulated Coir modified TLA and TPB blends to suit particular
applications. Generally TLA and TPB modified blends containing the 10 mm length fibres will exhibit
the highest fatigue cracking resistance but the lowest rutting resistance whereas the blends with the
2.5mm fibre will exhibit the lowest fatigue cracking resistance but the highest rutting resistance. In
terms of temperature susceptibility, the fatigue cracking resistances of the pure TLA and TPB were
greater than those of the modified blends except for the 8% TLA Coir fibre blend which showed
superior fatigue cracking resistance between 60 and 70°C. The TLA and TPB Coir modified blends
were more resistant to rutting as compared to the pure binders. The 8% Coir fibre TLA blend
demonstrated a deterioration in rutting resistance between 60°C and 70°C compared to unmodified
parent binders. Though studies associated with quantification of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions
due to asphalt paving have not yet been thoroughly conducted, improvements in rheological
properties can lead to a decrease in associated GHG emissions from this energy-intensive industry.