Evaluating Minimum Virgin Binder Contents for Durable Recycled Asphalt Pavement (RAP) Mixes

Economic factors and environmental sustainability are driving the use of more reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP); however, durability of those mixes has been a concern. Various approaches (e.g. limiting RAP usage, increasing lab-molded density, or balanced mix design (BMD)) have been tried to improve mix durability. All the approaches point to one essential factor for durable RAP mixes: minimum virgin binder content. Thus, the research team will determine the minimum virgin binder content(s) for durable RAP mixes. The researchers will review the literature to identify critical factors affecting RAP mix durability. Considering all those critical factors, the research team will develop and execute a statistically sound laboratory experimental design to develop the relationships between cracking properties measured by Overlay test and Ideal cracking test and mix components (e.g. virgin binder content) and their characteristics. Furthermore, the research team will assess field performance of RAP mixes and delineate the correlation between field performance and laboratory mix cracking properties. Subsequently, the researchers will recommend minimum virgin binder contents based on the relationships among field performance, mix cracking properties, and mix components and their characteristics, and develop guidelines, update specifications, and organize training sessions.

• Record URL:
  • https://library.ctr.utexas.edu/Presto/project=0-7208

Language

• English

Project

• Status: Active
• Funding: $793404
• Contract Numbers:

  0-7208

• Sponsor Organizations:

  Texas Department of Transportation

  125 E. 11th Street
  Austin, TX  United States  78701-2483
• Project Managers:

  Kasberg, Katelyn

• Performing Organizations:

  Texas A&M Transportation Institute

  Texas A&M University System
  3135 TAMU
  College Station, TX  United States  77843-3135

  Center for Transportation Research

  3925 W. Braker Lane
  Austin, TX  United States  78759
• Principal Investigators:

  Zhou, Fujie

• Start Date: 20240901
• Expected Completion Date: 20270831
• Actual Completion Date: 0

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Binder content; Cracking; Durability; Field tests; Mix design; Pavement performance; Reclaimed asphalt pavements; Recycled materials
• Subject Areas: Design; Highways; Materials; Pavements;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01932642
• Record Type: Research project
• Source Agency: Texas Department of Transportation
• Contract Numbers: 0-7208
• Files: RIP, STATEDOT
• Created Date: Oct 3 2024 9:55AM