The effect of modifiers on the microstructure of road bitumen and strength of asphalt concrete: a mini-review

This review explores the effect of bitumen microstructure on the mechanical strength and cohesive properties of modified bitumen.It is shown that the morphology of structures plays a key role in ensuring high performance properties of bitumen road surfaces.Special attention is paid to the effect of polymer, surfactant, and nanomodifiers on the size, shape, and stability of microstructures in the bulk phase of the bitumen binder.The latest data on the mechanisms of beelike structures formation, their morphology, the correlation of structure sizes with the cohesive strength of bitumen, as well as practical aspects of modifying bitumen compositions to achieve optimal strength characteristics are analyzed.