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Volume 20, No. 36Journal 36

DOI:https://doi.org/10.15517/wdg50j32

Published November 17, 2025

Scientific Papers

  1. Luis Mardones Parra, Alejandra Calabi Floody, Elsa Sánchez Alonso, Gonzalo Valdés Vidal (Author)

    Evaluation of mechanical properties of asphalt mixtures with incorporation of aramid andpolypropylene synthetic fibers

    Roads are exposed to external conditions such as rain, solar radiation and the increase of vehicular flow, among others; which generates distresses on asphalt pavements. It is necessary to research new technologies being able to improve the behavior of pavements against external conditions. Currently, the use of polymer modified asphalts is one of the most used alternatives, because they provide a greater durability to the pavement structure. However, literature review has shown that there are other competitive techniques to obtain good results, such as the use of synthetic fibers. Therefore, the main objective of this research is to evaluate the influence of the addition of aramid and polypropylene synthetic fibers in the mechanical properties of asphalt mixtures.For this purpose, a IV-A-12 asphalt mixture (mainly used in Chile) with a CA-24 asphalt binder (according to Chilean specifications) were manufactured, incorporating different percentages of synthetic fibers. The mechanical properties of the modified asphalt mixtures were compared with a reference hot asphalt mixture. Through the experimental phase, thermal cracking, moisture damage and rutting properties were evaluated. The results have shown that the use of aramid and polypropylene fibers in asphalt mixtures reduced the moisture damage and rutting, nevertheless the thermal cracking was improved.

  2. Sheng Qi Wang Qiu (Author)

    Generalities and applications of pavement instrumentation with field conditions in Costa Rica

    Pavement instrumentation under field conditions is one of the methodologies that LanammeUCR is currently applying to meet its objectives of studying and analyzing Costa Rica’s pavements with the purpose of improving their performance in the medium and long term. Pavement instrumentation is mainly used to determine the behavior a pavement shows under the effects of externally induced loads or natural phenomena, which allows a diverse range of uses: pavement structural monitoring, generation of mathematical models, development of tests for the validation of pavement designs, validation of other study methods, among others. Generally, in the field of pavement engineering, the acquired behavior corresponds to the response (stresses and strains) of the pavement, which is registered through the instrumentation used in these structures and the acquired information can be used in the applications mentioned before. This study shows the procedures and preliminary results that LanammeUCR has applied and acquired regarding the instrumentation of pavements under field conditions in Costa Rica.