An investigation was undertaken to evaluate permanent deformationand fatigue characteristics of polymer modified asphaltic mixes.The investigation included a laboratory testing program and afield evaluation of performance using an accelerated loading facility(ALF). Binders evaluated included the polymer types commonIy usedin Australia for hot mix applications. Mix testing included wheeltracking at 60°C to examine permanent deformation and beamtesting for fatigue characterisation.

Results of ALF traffickmg shows the permanent deformation ofthe polymer modified mixes is lower than conventional mixes bothin magnitude and in rate of deformation. Laboratory wheel trackingis shown to correlate weII with ALF results. Compaction has alarge influence on both fatigue and elastic properties of asphaltmixes. Using the Shell fatigue relation as an indicator of fieldfatigue performance of bituminous mixes, relative fatigue multipliersfor the various polymer modified binders were estimated. Finallybinder parameters which best correlate with permanent deformationand fatigue properties are discussed.