DEVELOPMENT OF A LOW COST ASPHALT-RUBBER MEMBRANE FOR WATER HARVESTING CATCHMENTS AND RESERVOIR SEEPAGE CONTROL

This project was concerned with the laboratory and field investigation of asphalt-rubber for use in water seepage control applications. Laboratory testing utilized for physical property determination included viscosity, ductility (ASTM D113-74), flow/slope stability, brittleness/impact resistance (ASTM D994-72), water vapor transmission (ASTM E96-72, Procedure BW), water absorption (ASTM 570-72), and permeability. Also, some specialized laboratory equipment was designed and fabricated for the testing. The results of the testing showed that the asphalt-rubber is relatively impermeable as a membrane, and that the rubber does not affect an otherwise impermeable asphalt film. Physical properties of the base asphalt that are increased with the addition of rubber include water absorption, viscosity, and impact resistance. The tests that exhibited lower physical property values were ductility and slope stability. Investigations of field applications of asphalt-rubber resulted in preliminary subgrade preparation specifications. Also, the field installations supported the hypothesis that the asphalt-rubber can be effectively used as a water seepage barrier. Preliminary specifications for asphalt-rubber mixing and field application are also included.

• Corporate Authors:

  University of Arizona, Tucson

  Water Resource Research Center
  Tucson, AZ  United States  85721

  Department of the Interior

  Office of Water Research and Technology
  Washington, DC  United States  20242
• Authors:
  • Frobel, R K
  • Cluff, C B
  • Jimenez, R A
• Publication Date: 1977-6

Media Info

• Pagination: 58 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Absorption; Asphalt; Composite materials; Crash tests; Drainage basins; Ductility tests; Elastomers; Grain size (Geology); Leakage; Permeability; Reservoirs; Rubber; Seepage; Slope stability; Subgrade (Pavements); Viscosity; Water control; Water storage; Water vapor
• Uncontrolled Terms: Membranes
• Old TRIS Terms: Ductility tests (Asphalts); Low costs; Membranes (Biology); Viscosity test
• Subject Areas: Geotechnology; Highways; Hydraulics and Hydrology; Materials; Research;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00159340
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: National Technical Information Service
• Report/Paper Numbers: OWRT-A-75-ARIZ Final Rpt., W77-08601
• Contract Numbers: DI-14-34-0001-7006
• Files: NTIS, TRIS
• Created Date: Sep 20 1978 12:00AM