Construction of a durable bituminous pavements requires high quality materials such as bituminous binders with extended viscoelastic properties. The main objective of this paper was to compare and analyse high temperature viscoelastic properties of polymer modified bitumen (PMB) in order to assess appropriate modifier content. In this paper, there is described multiple stress creep recovery (MSCR) procedure in accordance to Superpave PG specification. Using the MSCR procedure, comparison with a traditional PG criteria was discussed. PG criteria and MSCR procedure were used to asses properties of polymer modified bitumens produced in Europe and to classified them in accordance to European standards. Additionally, new MSCR procedure was used to verify properties of binders used for construction of high traffic load pavements. Based on a conventional tests (penetration, softening point, elastic recovery and Fraass breaking point) as well as recovery and non-recoverable creep compliance obtained from MSCR test, amount of an appropriate modifier content was analysed. It was concluded, that although bituminous binders complies with European specification requirements, they are significantly different in terms of their rheological properties due to the modifier content. It was found, that polymer modified bitumen within the same hardness group exhibit different high temperature properties. This work confirmed poor correlation between elastic recovery in ductility test versus recovery from MSCR test.

polymer modified bitumen (PMB); multiple stress creep recovery (MSCR); modification