Evaluating water damage resistance of recycled asphalt concrete mixtures

Abstract EN

Recycling process presents a sustainable pavement by using the old materials that could be milled, mixed with virgin materials and recycling agents to produce recycled mixtures.

The objective of this study is to evaluate the impact of water on recycled asphalt concrete mixtures, and the effect of the inclusion of old materials into recycled mixtures on the resistance of water damage.

A total of 54 Marshall Specimens and 54 compressive strength specimens of (virgin, recycled, and aged asphalt concrete mixtures) had been prepared, and subjected to Tensile Strength Ratio test, and Index of Retained Strength test.

Four types of recycling agents (used oil, oil + crumb rubber, soft grade asphalt cement, and asphalt cement + Sulphur powder), were adopted to prepare recycled mixtures, and the recycling agent of (soft grade asphalt) was used to prepare mixtures with further old materials contents.

It was found that the Tensile Strength Ratio exceeds 75% for all recycled mixtures, and the recycled mixture with (oil + rubber) and 50% old materials content, had the highest Tensile Strength Ratio value comparing to other recycled mixtures.

Results of Index of Retained Strength showed that mixtures with (Soft Ac) and (Ac + Sulphur) and 50% old materials, exceeded the Index of Retained Strength value for virgin mixture.

Index of Retained Strength values decreased as the old materials content increased, Index of Retained Strength was (80.5%, 74.5%, 71.6%, and 67.62%) for recycled mixtures with (50%, 60%, 70%, and 80%) old materials content respectively.