ABSTRACT
Asphalt mixtures represent a kind of composite material which is traditionally based on natural aggregates and bituminous binders. With respect to the extent of infrastructural structures, the consumption of natural resources is enormous. In connection with the increasing necessity of gradual rehabilitation of the existing road infrastructure, the general trend is to reduce the material demand of pavement structures by the enforcement of maximized recyclability and re-use of existing structures and materials in use. By utilizing reclaimed asphalt material from existing pavements, efficient limitation in the consumption of natural aggregates is supported. The substitution of aggregates by reclaimed material can theoretically reach a level of up to 100%. It is, nevertheless, essential to assess and to consider the impact of reclaimed material on the performance behavior of the resulting asphalt mix and/or the pavement structural layer. The reasons are, in particular, degrading processes, which occur in the asphalt pavement during the road use and operation. The degradation usually leads to irreversible alterations of the functional characteristics of the asphalt mixture.
