THE DEVELOPMENT OF AN INNOVATION: HIGH MODULUS ASPHALT

This paper concerns the development and evaluation of use of high modulus asphalt in France. During the 1980s, road building companies developed special binders and asphalt formulae and the use of high modulus asphalt increased over this period. A standard published in 1991 distinguished two types: types 2 and 1 EME, the latter not having the same fatigue resistance and being reserved for compressed layers. Three experiments were carried out to improve the design of high modulus asphalt for new constructions. Tests confirmed that EME behaved well in binders to improve resistance to rutting. The range of use of EME has expanded as a binder course or as a base course and it has been considered and tested for new pavement on the motorway network.