Laboratory Performance Evaluation of Hot Mix Asphalt Using Reclaimed Asphalt Pavement Material for Bituminous Concrete Layer

Abstract

Pavement rehabilitation and reconstruction generate large quantities of reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP). Recycling into new asphalt paving mixtures is the predominant application. The RAP contains aggregates coated with bitumen. Recently utilization of RAP in asphalt mixes has been gaining worldwide popularity. Use of RAP in asphalt mixes can reduce cost of materials (aggregates and bitumen), conserve aggregates and asphalt, save environment, and can solve problem of solid waste disposal. The present study is used to design and evaluate the performance of bitumen mix with 2 different percentage of RAP. The preliminary laboratory tests were conducted to check the quality of aggregate, bitumen and RAP. The use of different percentage of RAP (i.e. 0%, 40% and 50%) for Bituminous concrete (BC) were designed as per specifications of Ministry of Road Transportation and Highway (MoRTH). The Marshall Mix design method was utilized to design mix with different percentages of RAP. The moisture damage potential of different mixes was determined in the laboratory by estimating retained indirect tensile strength also called tensile strength ratio (TSR). The test was conducted by applying a compressive load at a rate of 50.8 mm/min and their TSR values were determined. Furthermore, the rutting performance of different types of mixes was determined in the laboratory using flow time test. The results indicate that addition of RAP increases rutting resistance. This study would be helpful for highways engineers to utilize RAP for construction of sustainable highways in India.