Mechanical characterisation of hot mix recycled materials

Abstract

Among the available techniques for pavement maintenance/rehabilitation, recycling of pavements is becoming more acceptable. It is based on sustainable development, by reusing materials reclaimed from the pavements and reducing the disposal of asphalt materials. Based on the results of an earlier study of asphalt mixtures containing 30 to 50% recycled asphalt, using the Marshall mix design methodology, additional mixtures of identical composition, containing 50% recycled asphalt, were produced at a range of bitumen contents and were all tested in more detail for permanent deformation and fatigue behaviour. The results from both investigations were analysed, with the objective of verifying if the Marshall mix design method was suitable to design bituminous mixtures with 50% reclaimed material. However, it is important to mention that this study is still not finished and that, it will evolve towards the validation of the manufacturing processes and the mechanical properties of the mixture using tests related with the field performance. A conventional mixture of identical gradation and material composition, made of 100% virgin aggregates, was also studied to compare with the recycled mixtures' behaviour. © 2005 Taylor & Francis Ltd.