Influence of Reclaimed Asphalt Pavement on Performance-Related Properties of Gap-Graded Rubberized Hot-Mix Asphalt

Abstract

Rubberized hot-mix asphalt (RHMA) has been widely used in construction projects by the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) for the environmental benefits of its recycled waste tires and for its improved fatigue and reflective cracking resistance. Currently, Caltrans does not permit the use of reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP) in any gap- or open-graded rubberized asphalt mixes. However, given the cost and environmental benefits of RAP to replace portions of required virgin binder and aggregates in conventional mixes, interest is growing in the addition of some RAP to RHMA mixes as well. This study investigated concerns about this proposed practice. Three phases of laboratory testing (i.e., asphalt binder testing, fine aggregate matrix mix testing, and full-graded mix testing) were conducted to evaluate the effects of the addition of RAP into new RHMA mixes. The results indicated that the gap-graded aggregate structure of RHMA might limit the amount of RAP that could be used in the mix. Only 10% RAP by binder replacement could be achieved for the mix tested in this study, but the other specified volumetric requirements were still met. Replacement of a portion of asphalt rubber binder with age-hardened RAP binder increased the binder stiffness at low and high temperatures, which indicated enhanced rutting performance but diminished low-temperature cracking performance. Test results from full-graded mixes indicated similar trends, with improved rutting performance with the addition of RAP but also with significantly poorer fatigue and reflective cracking resistance.