The reclaimed asphalt pavement addition to produce concrete pavements

Abstract

Durability issues may increase the frequency of asphalt road restoration on a long-term basis. This is particularly observed in the surface course. Increased traffic loads, extreme environmental conditions, higher temperature variation and oxidation of the bituminous layer may accelerate the deterioration of the widely widespread asphalt pavements. In some regions a high amount of reclaimend asphalt pavements (RAP) is produced and only a partial amount is recycled within bituminous pavements. The increased stiffness of the old binder requires softer bitumes and adequate chemical preparation. Therefore, a high amount of material is still left behind and partially brought to disposal. In oder to increase the durability of pavements, RAP aggregates are mixed with cementitious materials to produce RAP concrete. In this work, RAP aggegates are added in concrete and mechanical, durability tests as well as the investigation of the microstructure was done. Although the interface interaction between bituminous and cementitious materials must be carefully prepared, the flexural, compressive strength and the durability tests, such as freeze / thaw resistance, the accelerated carbonation and the chloride penetration as well as the recycling potential of the system, give interesting results, that merit to be deeply investigated in large field trials.