Mechanical and Environmental Performances of Warm Mix Asphalt with Reclaimed Asphalt and Plant-Based Binder

Abstract

Abstract The environmental challenges facing society today are forcing the road construction industry to tackle the twin challenges of decreasing consumption of nonrenewable raw materials and limiting its carbon impacts. Yet, roadworks can deliver some genuine environmental benefits, along with low greenhouse gas emissions, by becoming a carbon sink. Recycling very high proportions of road construction materials and gradually incorporating bio-based products into their composition is now a proven solution. To this end, Eiffage Route has developed a range of plant-based binders, suitable for recycling, which incorporate a high proportion of materials recovered from existing pavement. This article reviews the so-called Biophalt innovation that won the 2019 award presented at the Road and Street Innovation Committee established by the Transport Infrastructure Department of the French Ministry of the Ecological Transition. It consists of a warm mix asphalt (WMA), including a high amount (>30 %) of recycled asphalt and a plant-based patented binder, suitable for any type of traffic. Both environmental and mechanical performances of Biophalt, assessed through SEVE TP modeling and several mix design studies carried out in the framework of different jobsites, are presented. They underline the “carbon sink” properties of the bio-based WMA as well as its compliance with standards defined by the norms of the French asphalt mix design method. It thus demonstrates Biophalt’s ability to combine both sustainability and excellent mechanical characteristics.