Rutting Resistance of Rubberized Asphalt Concrete Pavements Containing Reclaimed Asphalt Pavement Mixtures

TLDR

Rutting resistance of rubberized asphalt concrete containing reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP) is a key performance metric, with RAP historically proven economical, environmentally sound, and effective at enhancing rutting resistance, and rubberized asphalt widely used to improve mechanical characteristics worldwide. This study investigates the rutting resistance characteristics of rubberized asphalt mixtures through laboratory testing. The experimental design employed two rubber types (ambient and cryogenically produced), four rubber contents, and three crumb rubber sizes. Results show that incorporating RAP and crumb rubber into hot mix asphalt effectively improves rut resistance.

Abstract

Improved understanding of rutting resistance of a rubberized asphalt concrete pavement that contains reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP) is important to stimulating the use of rubberized asphalt mixtures. Use of RAP in the past has proved to be economical, environmentally sound, and effective in increasing the rutting resistance of asphalt mixtures. Rubberized asphalt has been used successfully in improving the mechanical characteristics, such as rutting resistance, of typical hot mix asphalt (HMA) mixture around the country and the world. The objective of this research was to investigate the rutting resistance characteristics of the rubberized asphalt mixtures through a laboratory testing program. The experimental design included use of two rubber types (ambient and cryogenically produced), four rubber contents, and three crumb rubber sizes. The results of the experiments indicated that the use of RAP and crumb rubber in the HMA can effectively improve the rut resistance of these mixes.