# Laboratory Evaluation and Finite Element Modeling of SBS and Basalt Fiber Modified Mixtures
## 1 Introduction
Due to increasing traffic volume and axle loads, the use of polymer- or crumb rubber-modified mixtures is essential to reduce the amount of maintenance interventions required. Since the use of only polymer and crumb rubber modifiers is costly for the same amount of performance gains for asphalt mixtures, it is essential to introduce cost-effective alternatives by reducing the amount of SBS or CR modifiers needed for asphalt mixtures. Therefore, the percentage of SBS or CR used in asphalt mixtures can be compensated for by adding basalt fiber without compromising the strength of the mixtures. The addition of basalt fiber to the mixtures can further reinforce the polymer matrices in the mixtures, thereby providing adequate strength and stability to the polymer matrices at reduced costs, leading to resistance in raveling, fatigue damage and rutting of the asphalt mixtures [11]. In terms of rutting performance gains for basalt fiber-modified asphalt mixtures, [PERSON] et al. [12] evaluated the rutting progression of asphalt mixtures modified with 0.35 basalt fiber. A wheel tracking test was carried out with loading cycles of 20,000. Results showed that basalt fiber-modified asphalt mixtures exhibited 28% less rutting when compared with conventional HMA mixtures. [PERSON] et al. [13] performed the dynamic stability evaluation of asphalt mixtures modified with 0.4% basalt fiber using wheel rutting rests. Results showed a 35% gain in dynamic stability of 0.4% basalt fiber-modified mixtures. [PERSON] et al. performed a rutting resistance evaluation of 0.4% basalt fiber-modified asphalt mixtures. Results suggested the use of a stone matrix asphalt mixture along with a combination of 0.4% basalt fiber content for increased rutting resistance. [PERSON] et al. [14] evaluated the effect of 16 \(\upmu\)m and 26 \(\upmu\)m diameter basalt fiber on low-temperature cracking resistance and high-temperature stability of asphalt mixtures. Wheel tracking tests, semi-circular bending tests and the bending beam test were employed to study the behavior of two different diameter scenarios. Results showed that 16 um diameter basalt fibers outperformed the 26 um diameter type in terms of increased high-temperature stability and increased cracking resistance in low-temperature conditions. [PERSON] et al. [15] evaluated the effect of bundled basalt fibers on the performance of asphalt mixtures in terms of rutting resistance using bending beam rheometer and dynamic shear rheology tests. Results showed increased toughness of BF-modified mixtures in high-temperature conditions when compared with lignin fibers. [PERSON] et al. [16] evaluated the effect of basalt fiber on viscosity and the high-temperature performance of asphalt mixtures. Results showed that adding basalt fiber to the asphalt mixture increased the viscosity and high-temperature performance of asphalt mixtures by creating a strong three-dimensional network. [PERSON] et al. [17] performed a dynamic stability and low-temperature performance evaluation of basalt fiber-modified asphalt mixtures at percentages of 0.15%, 0.3% and 0.45%. Results showed improvement in performance of asphalt mixtures by adding an optimum 0.3% basalt fiber in terms of ultimate tensile strength and maximum bending strain of tested specimens. [PERSON] et al. [2] carried out a performance evaluation of basalt fiber-modified SBS mixtures and conventional SBS-modified mixtures. Wheel tracking tests and the three-point bending test were used to evaluate the effect of basalt fiber at different percentages. Result showed an optimum percentage of 0.3% basalt fiber, where the dynamic stability and tensile strength ratio increased by 25.5% and 6% when compared with conventional SBS-modified asphalt mixtures. Furthermore, it was found that basalt fiber outperformed both lignin- and polyester fiber-modified asphalt mixtures. [PERSON] et al. [18] evaluated the high and low temperature properties of asphalt mixtures with fiber proportions of 1%, 2%, 3%, 4% and 5% with fiber lengths of 6 mm, 9 mm and 15 mm.