Enhancing Road Performance of Recycled Asphalt Mixtures with High RAP Content via a High Permeability Rejuvenator: Laboratory Evaluation and Mechanism Analysis

Abstract

The performance of plant-mixed hot recycled asphalt mixtures with high reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP) content is often compromised by instability and degradation due to insufficient interfacial fusion between aged asphalt and ordinary rejuvenators. To address this challenge, we proposesd a novel high-permeability rejuvenator designed to enhance the compatibility of aged asphalt while maintaining the mechanics and road performance of recycled mixtures. A systematic experimental framework was developed and implemented to evaluate the road performance of high RAP content recycled asphalt mixtures. The rejuvenation efficacy of fully integrated aged asphalt was assessd by theological tests. Aluminum tube permeability experiments were conducted to quantitatively investigate the permeability effect of the high-permeability rejuvenator. The road performance of high-dosage (60%–80%) recycled asphalt mixtures prepared with the high-permeability rejuvenator is validated through comprehensive testing and evaluation.

Keywords

reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP) / high-permeability rejuvenator / road performance / recycled asphalt mixtures / aged asphalt

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