Long-Term Effectiveness of Recycling Agents to Improve Performance Properties of Asphalt Concrete

Download or read book Long-Term Effectiveness of Recycling Agents to Improve Performance Properties of Asphalt Concrete written by Mahsa Tofighian and published by . This book was released on 2023 with total page 0 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Recycled materials such as reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP) have been incorporated into asphalt mixtures for many years. However, their usage has increased over time as they are seen as a way to reduce the cost of asphalt mixtures, save energy, and protect the environment. Similarly, there has been a growing focus on the utilization of recycled asphalt shingles (RAS) in asphalt mixtures, a pursuit undertaken by various state highway agencies. However, unless appropriate precautions are taken, as the proportion of RAP and RAS in the asphalt mixture is raised, the mixture becomes more brittle, leading to a higher risk of cracking and raveling in the asphalt pavement. Furthermore, the mixture becomes less workable and more challenging to compact in the field, increasing the potential for premature field failure. One strategy to incorporate more RAP and RAS into asphalt mixtures involves the use of specialized recycling agents (RAs), known as rejuvenating agents. Over time, asphalt mixtures undergo aging during construction and over the extended service life of asphalt pavements, resulting in the oxidation of the mix and the loss of a significant portion of the maltenes in the binder composition. Maltenes contribute to the softening effect of the binder, and these recycling agents, when used appropriately, are expected to compensate for this reduction in maltenes. The ultimate result of this rebalancing of components is the softening of the aged binder and an improvement in its resistance to cracking. This study investigates the long-term impact of bio-based and petroleum-based recycling agents (RA's) on recycled asphalt binders with varying levels of reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP) and reclaimed asphalt shingles (RAS) content, specifically low (15%) and high (30%) RAP content and 0% and 5% RAS content. The rejuvenated binders underwent short-term and long-term aging through the use of a Rolling Thin Film Oven (RTFO) and Pressure Aging Vessel (PAV), respectively. The performance characteristics of these modified binders at various aging stages were assessed using a dynamic shear rheometer (DSR) and bending beam rheometer (BBR). The study revealed that all RA's used in this research maintained their effectiveness even after long-term aging, though the degree of effectiveness varied. Additionally, the results indicated that the petroleum-based RA required a higher dosage to achieve the same effect as the bio-based RA's. The findings from this research also demonstrated that when rejuvenators are added to mixtures with a high RAP content or a combination of RAP and RAS, the mixture's performance is enhanced in terms of low-temperature cracking and fatigue cracking. Nevertheless, it is crucial to extend this work to field pilot projects to ensure the effective application of these rejuvenating products.