Performance Evaluation of Bituminous Pavement with High Recycled Asphalt Pavement Material content—A Case Study

Abstract

AbstractIn India to meet the requirement of growing travel demand and to help rapid growth of economic activity, infrastructure development is taken up by central and state governments on large scale. Majority of the road network in India has flexible pavement constructed using quarry aggregates and bitumen. Because of this process, there has been faster depletion of road aggregates and also an increase in emission of carbon gases causing environmental pollution. The use of eco-friendly bitumen, reuse of aggregates obtained from milling, and material reclaimed from old pavement to construct or rehabilitate roads will be the most promising alternative to the current practice toward achieving sustainability in road construction. In this regard, present study aims at formulating design methodology through extensive field and laboratory studies for the construction of surface course containing high recycled asphalt pavement content material and waste plastic. A test track of 25 mm thick close graded premix carpet (CGPC) containing virgin aggregates by 20%, recycle asphalt pavement aggregates (RAP) 80%, and waste plastic 8% by weight of bitumen was laid and subjected to performance evaluation under existing road and traffic condition. Based on the laboratory and field test results, it was found that bituminous mix containing high recycled asphalt pavement material content (80% recycled aggregates) with 8% of waste plastic by weight of bitumen as recycling agent performs better and found economical than the stretch with conventional hot mix asphalt (HMA) mix. Performance evaluation was carried out in two cycles one before the monsoon in May and the second post-monsoon season in December. From the evaluation study, it was found that there was no considerable surface distress found on the test track both during cycle-1 and cycle-2. Roughness test results imply that bituminous pavement surface with RAP and waste plastic provides comparatively better riding quality and comfort than the conventional bituminous mix. Based on the findings of the study, it may be inferred that it is attainable to delineate acceptable quality bituminous mix with high RAP content that meets needed properties and performance criteria as per standards and specifications. From the present study, it is also clear that recycling technology is an effective and economical alternative for the construction of low or medium-traffic intensity roads in India which constitute the major portion of the Indian road network.KeywordsRAPPerformance evaluationWaste plasticLow volume roadsClose graded premix surfacing