Principal Investigator(s):
David Newcomb, Former University Researcher, Civil, Environmental and Geo-Engineering
Co-Investigators:
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Andrew Drescher, Former Professor, Civil, Environmental and Geo-Engineering
Project summary:
The most current binder selection and asphalt mixture design methodology is the Superpave approach. This performance-related binder specification was developed for use with virgin asphalt-aggregate mixtures, not recycled mixtures. In order to use the Superpave system, it will be necessary to develop a modified methodology which allows the consideration of recycled asphalt pavement (RAP) in the mixture. The objectives of this research are to: 1) characterize typical Minnesota RAP gradation and binder properties and 2) develop a mix design methodology using the Superpave approach to proportion the materials in mixtures containing RAP. A rheological approach using previously developed uniaxial and diametral test methods will be used in the evaluation of the recycled mixtures. The results of this project will include: 1) the beginning of a database on the typical properties of RAP in Minnesota and 2) a method to evaluate the effectiveness of recycling through rheological evaluation of the mixtures.