Laboratory evaluation of foamed asphalt mixtures with 100% RAP and rejuvenator

ABSTRACT This study, conducted in Georgia, analyzes the impact of rejuvenators on foamed asphalt mixtures containing 100% reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP) and assesses the feasibility of using the mixture as a structural layer in a pavement system. Three laboratory tests, the Marshall stability (MS), indirect tensile strength (ITS), and semi-circular bending (SCB), were conducted for the structural evaluation. Results indicate that the MS and ITS of the mixtures without rejuvenator are sufficiently high for use as a subsurface structural layer. However, dosing the mixture with ≥6% rejuvenator significantly decreases the MS and ITS. SCB tests for fracture resistance at an intermediate temperature indicate that mixtures without rejuvenators are more brittle than conventional hot mix asphalt (HMA). The flexibility index indicates that the mixtures with ≥6% rejuvenator have higher crack resistance than HMA and no-rejuvenator 100% RAP foamed asphalt mixtures. In conclusion, addition of rejuvenators significantly affects the structural integrity of 100% RAP foamed asphalt mixtures by increasing the cracking resistance but considerably decreasing the stability and indirect strength. Therefore, for practical purposes, the use of a rejuvenator in foamed asphalt mixtures is not recommended.