ABSTRACT
To date, asphalt pavements are commonly required to withstand increasing amount of loads, cope with severe climate conditions, include great amount of recycled materials but, still, they have to provide long-term performance and low maintenance costs during their service life. In addition, construction operations are to be often conducted during all-weather conditions to limit traffic disruption and reduction in capacity, both on roads and airports. In these challenging scenarios, road technology comes to help in providing ad-hoc and calibrated additives which are adjustable to several working conditions.
The present research shows the suitability of pellet-form compounds made by polymers, fibers and other additives to respond to recent and upgraded needs of the road. Compounds are commonly mixed directly into the pug mill and do not require any bitumen modification or specific plant adjustment.
In particular, Polyfunctional Polymeric Systems (PPS) were included into the asphalt mixes in order to evaluate long-term durability and mechanical performance when 30% and 50% of reclaimed asphalt pavement material was used and mixing and compaction temperatures were reduced up to 100°C.
Results suggested that a proper calibration of the compounds can provide similar performance to standard mixes even if high content of recycled material is included and production temperature was reduced; sustainability of asphalt systems is thus practicable.
