Abstract
At present, the primary objective of the road construction industry is to increase the service life of road pavements by implementing innovative technologies that meet modern standards of operational reliability. The key advantages of bitumen emulsions were analyzed, including improved adhesion and cohesion, environmental safety, resistance to water exposure, rapid curing and opening to traffic, applicability under cold conditions, as well as enhanced stability and durability. The research findings confirm the benefits of using bitumen emulsions in road construction, contributing to high-quality and long-lasting pavement performance. Studies were conducted on the modification of petroleum bitumen. The additional incorporation of Kulantau vermiculite into the composition enhances and stabilizes adhesion across a wide range of ambient humidity and temperature conditions. The adhesion process can be regarded as the adsorption of bitumen emulsion on the surface of mineral aggregates. Adsorption occurs through intermolecular interactions, and adhesion is improved by strengthening these interactions, which is achieved by increasing the activity of the bitumen emulsion through the introduction of additives with active functional groups. It was found that incorporating secondary polyethylene and Kulantau vermiculite into asphalt concrete leads to a noticeable decrease in the air void content. This reduction enhances the material’s resistance to moisture and freeze-thaw cycles.