ABSTRACT
Binders present in Reclaimed Asphalt (RA) are subjected to traffic loading and climate changes during the service life of the pavement which produce their oxidation and hardening. The aged properties of RA binders are possibly the main reasons against their utilization in high-RA content (>30%) mixes for surface courses. Maximising this amount is nowadays one of the main challenges. This investigation presents a performance-related validation of a preliminary binder’s blend design carried out as input to design seven mixtures with two different RA sources, used in contents up to 60% RA with and without rejuvenators. Mixtures were manufactured in asphalt plants and the binders were recovered. In this paper, critical temperatures together with rutting, fatigue and thermal cracking-related properties are studied and compared to assess whether the preliminary binder’s design was accurate. Results show that recovered and designed binders properties match thus emphasizing the importance of having a detailed binder blend design as preliminary step.
