ABSTRACT Asphalt concrete (AC), composed of bitumen and aggregates, is a sensitive material compared to the other construction materials. Consequently, many scientists and engineers focus on improving the performance of asphalt pavements. Modification of the asphalt binder is one approach used to improve pavement performance. Nowadays, there are different materials that are being employed to reinforce AC structures. Furthermore, fibers and polymers are two important substances used in this way. However, it has been claimed that among various modifiers for asphalt, fibers have received the greatest attention because of their excellent improvement effects. The purpose of this paper is therefore to make a comparative study on the performance of different textile fibers in AC mixtures and to analyze their effects on Marshall stability and specific gravity values. Recycled waste tire cord (RWTC) and four types of fibers including nylon 6.6, polyester, polypropylene and glass were used as the textile reinforcing materials in this study. In the next step, to evaluate the effect of fiber parameters on mechanical properties of AC samples, two analytical procedures were applied: artificial neural network and Dunnett’s test. The results indicated that both techniques could rightfully evaluate the optimized fiber parameters in AC mixtures. Consequently, it was found that polypropylene and glass fibers can significantly improve the Marshall stability and the specific gravity of reinforced AC samples.
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