Optimización sostenible de la conservación vial mediante la utilización de mortero de emulsión polimérica

Abstract

Asphalt mortars with polymeric emulsions offer an innovative solution for road maintenance, emphasizing their improved physical and chemical properties. This research evaluated their performance in terms of density, porosity, load-bearing capacity, and chemical composition and analyzed their economic viability compared to traditional road maintenance methods. Granulometry and quality tests were conducted on the aggregates of the Jubones and Paute rivers. Aggregates from the Jubones River were discarded due to negative results in sand equivalent and methylene blue tests, while those from the Paute River met the requirements and were selected for the production of polymer-modified asphalt mortars. Two variants of the asphalt emulsion used were compared: one with 0.35% polymer, provided by the company Emulsiones del Ecuador (EMULDEC, by its Spanish acronym), and another modified with 1.5% polyurethane resin. Viscosity tests showed that both emulsions were suitable for pumping at the plant and on-site. The design of asphalt mortars with materials from the Paute River was carried out using two different work formulas, depending on the type of emulsion used. Potential of hydrogen (pH) and particle charge analysis results indicated that both emulsions were cationic, facilitating proper bonding between the aggregate and the emulsion. Polymer-modified asphalt mortars improve the durability and strength of road infrastructures, offering environmental benefits. Although their initial cost is higher, the reduced need for long-term interventions can generate significant savings.