Physical, Rheological, and Permanent Deformation Behaviors of WMA-RAP Asphalt Binders

Kátia Aline Bohn (), Liseane Padilha Thives and Luciano Pivoto Specht
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Kátia Aline Bohn: Postgraduate Program in Civil Engineering, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianópolis 88040-900, Brazil
Liseane Padilha Thives: Postgraduate Program in Civil Engineering, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianópolis 88040-900, Brazil
Luciano Pivoto Specht: Department of Transportation, Federal University of Santa Maria, Santa Maria 97105-900, Brazil

Sustainability, 2023, vol. 15, issue 18, 1-21

Abstract: With the rapid global expansion of road networks, the asphalt industry faces several environmental challenges, such as material shortages, environmental concerns, escalating material costs, demand for eco-friendly materials, and the implementation of “Net Zero” policies. Given these challenges and recognizing the need to explore new solutions, this research evaluated asphalt binder samples incorporating Warm Mix Asphalt (WMA) and Reclaimed Asphalt Pavement (RAP), or WMA-RAP. The assessment focused on analyzing the physical, rheological, and permanent deformation characteristics of WMA-RAP samples containing 20%, 35%, and 50% recycled pavement. The study utilized a chemical surfactant-type WMA additive, Evotherm ® P25. The findings showed that the WMA-RAP combination resulted in increased stiffness ranging from 247% to 380% and a reduced phase angle of 16% to 26% with an increasing RAP content from 20% to 50% at T ref 20 °C and 10 Hz. Furthermore, the penetration decreased from 20% to 47%, and the softening point increased from 7% to 17%. An improvement of 2 PGHs was observed by adding 35% and 50% RAP. Additionally, WMA samples containing up to 50% RAP presented more elevated permanent deformation resistance, supporting traffic levels of 64V or 70H. WMA-RAP binders allow mixture production at lower temperatures—an amount of 30 °C less—conserving energy and decreasing the need for new aggregate materials by incorporating recycled materials, thus minimizing the environmental impact.

Keywords: warm asphalt binder; reclaimed asphalt pavement; WMA-RAP; industrial sustainability materials; recycling materials; permanent deformation; MSCR (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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