Assessment of Abrasion Performance of CRMB-Modified Bitumen Compared to Conventional Bitumen Mixes

– The growing demand for sustainable and durable pavement materials has led to the exploration of crumb rubber modified bitumen (CRMB) as a promising alternative to conventional bitumen in flexible pavements. This study investigates the effect of crumb rubber (CR) content on the abrasion resistance of bituminous mixes. A series of experimental tests were conducted using a tile abrasion testing machine, as per standard procedures, to evaluate surface wear performance. Samples were prepared with varying CR contents—0% (control), 3%, 5%, and 7%—by weight of bitumen. The depth of wear was measured for each sample to assess abrasion resistance. The results demonstrated a clear improvement in abrasion performance with the inclusion of crumb rubber. The control mix exhibited the highest wear depth of 2.8 mm, while the CRMB mixes showed progressive reductions in wear—2.2 mm (3% CR), 1.7 mm (5% CR), and 1.4 mm (7% CR). This indicates enhanced durability and surface resistance, particularly at higher CR contents. The study concludes that CRMB significantly improves the abrasion resistance of bituminous pavements and supports the effective reuse of waste rubber, promoting both environmental sustainability and improved pavement performance.