Application of self healing technology in bituminous pavement construction

This study demonstrates that the incorporation of steel wool fibres and SBS polymer modifiers in VG30 bitumen significantly enhances the self-healing behaviour of bituminous pavements. Steel fibres facilitate efficient heat transfer during induction heating, enabling closure of micro-cracks before they propagate into larger structural defects, while polymer modification improves flexibility, elasticity, and resistance to fatigue cracking and deformation. The combined effect of steel fibres and polymer resulted in a Marshall Stability improvement of nearly 43% over the unmodified mix, along with an estimated extension of pavement service life from 30 to 42 years and an overall life-cycle cost saving of approximately 10%. Self-healing bitumen technology therefore presents a promising advancement in sustainable pavement engineering by minimising repair costs, reducing material consumption, and improving road safety. Future research may focus on optimising fibre content, polymer dosage, and induction heating parameters to maximise healing efficiency under varying traffic and environmental conditions.

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