Abstract
The utilization of Reclaimed Asphalt (RA) in the road construction sector induces considerable economic and ecological benefits. The blending of the recycled material with new components is believed to be of great importance for the mixture’s properties. An extensive knowledge of the blending of the materials is crucial in optimizing the use of RA, especially at higher recycling rates. In this paper, the applicability of Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) microscopy in attenuated total reflectance (ATR) mode to study the bituminous coating of RA granulates is investigated. This method is a promising alternative to trace heterogeneous areas within the coating compared to methods that require extraction and recovery of bitumen. A method for sample preparation and FTIR spectra analysis is proposed. Four different samples were analyzed: a reference RA granulate, two types of RA granulates mixed with neat bitumen, and a RA granulate with rejuvenator. The results show that the use of ATR-FTIR microscope allows the tracing of different components, indications of blending, as well as proof of rejuvenation of the aged bituminous area.
Highlights
When asphalt pavements reach their end-of-life point, their layers must be renewed
Reclaimed Asphalt (RA) is an asphalt mixture consisting of aggregates and bitumen
Characteristic absorbance bands were selected, which were typical for the components that form the the sample, bitumen, fines, rejuvenator
Summary
When asphalt pavements reach their end-of-life point, their layers must be renewed. The material removed from these layers is known as Reclaimed Asphalt (RA) (EN 13108-8:2016, [1]). RA is an asphalt mixture consisting of aggregates and bitumen. The removed material is typically crushed in agglomerations of different sizes. Asphalt recycling is economically viable, since a considerable amount of bitumen can be replaced by the RA bitumen in the new asphalt mixture, and environmentally friendly [2]. Previous research has shown the potential benefits of using
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