Return to the VTRC Home Page
Click here to print the printer friendly version of this page.
 
Page Title: VTRC Report Detail

The contents of this report reflect the views of the author(s), who is responsible for the facts and the accuracy of the data presented herein. The contents do not necessarily reflect the official views or policies of the Virginia Department of Transportation, the Commonwealth Transportation Board, or the Federal Highway Administration. This report does not constitute a standard, specification, or regulation. Any inclusion of manufacturer names, trade names, or trademarks is for identification purposes only and is not to be considered an endorsement.

Title:

Laboratory Evaluation of Asphalt Concrete Mixtures Containing High Contents of Reclaimed Asphalt Pavement (RAP) and Binder
Authors:
Paul C. Boriack, Samer W. Katicha, Ph.D., Gerardo W. Flintsch, Ph.D., P.E.,Christopher R. Tomlinson
Year: 2014
VTRC No.: 15-R8
Abstract: This study investigated the effect of added asphalt binder content on the performance and volumetric properties of asphalt concrete mixtures containing reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP) in the amounts of 0%, 20%, and 40%. A laboratory-produced mixture containing 100% RAP was also evaluated. Performance of the mixtures was evaluated based on three criteria: stiffness (dynamic modulus), fatigue resistance, and rutting resistance (flow number and asphalt pavement analyzer).

Results showed that a 0.5% increase in binder content improved both the fatigue and rutting resistance of the 0% and 20% RAP mixtures with only slight (insignificant) decreases in dynamic modulus. However, the addition of various amounts of binder to the 40% RAP mixture led to a significant decrease in rutting resistance with little or no improvement to fatigue resistance. Volumetric analysis was performed on all of the mixtures, and detailed results are presented.

Based on the results of the study, the authors recommend that the Virginia Department of Transportation supplement current asphalt mixture design procedures that are based on mixture volumetric properties with laboratory-mixture performance testing.