Mitigating RAP variability through detailed particle size classification: Applications in high RAP content asphalt mixtures
High recycled asphalt pavement (RAP) content in asphalt mixtures provides substantial economic and environmental benefits. However, its application is hindered by performance instability caused by RAP variability. This study investigates a refined RAP particle size classification method that increas...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Elsevier
2025-12-01
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| Series: | Case Studies in Construction Materials |
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| Online Access: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214509525007910 |
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| author | Guangji Xu Zan Shen Siwen Hao Mengze Du Jing Hu |
| author_facet | Guangji Xu Zan Shen Siwen Hao Mengze Du Jing Hu |
| author_sort | Guangji Xu |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | High recycled asphalt pavement (RAP) content in asphalt mixtures provides substantial economic and environmental benefits. However, its application is hindered by performance instability caused by RAP variability. This study investigates a refined RAP particle size classification method that increases the grading levels from two to four, aiming to mitigate variability and enhance the performance of high RAP content mixtures. Laboratory-produced RAP was designed to simulate in-situ RAP properties with controlled variability in asphalt content, asphalt properties, and gradation. Recycled asphalt mixtures with RAP contents of 45 %, 60 %, and 100 % were evaluated for moisture sensitivity using immersion Marshall (retained stability) and freeze-thaw splitting tests (tensile strength ratio), low-temperature cracking resistance using semi-circular bending tests (fracture energy), and high-temperature stability using rutting tests (dynamic stability). Results demonstrate that RAP gradation variability predominantly impacts water stability, while asphalt content variability critically influences low-temperature performance. The refined classification method significantly reduced variability, enhanced mechanical properties, and stabilized overall performance. This approach offers a practical solution for improving the quality of high RAP content mixtures and advancing sustainable pavement construction practices. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-bb08b08c22ae4a0786314871a48adc98 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2214-5095 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-12-01 |
| publisher | Elsevier |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Case Studies in Construction Materials |
| spelling | doaj-art-bb08b08c22ae4a0786314871a48adc982025-08-20T03:31:30ZengElsevierCase Studies in Construction Materials2214-50952025-12-0123e0499310.1016/j.cscm.2025.e04993Mitigating RAP variability through detailed particle size classification: Applications in high RAP content asphalt mixturesGuangji Xu0Zan Shen1Siwen Hao2Mengze Du3Jing Hu4School of Transportation, Southeast University, Nanjing 211189, ChinaSchool of Transportation, Southeast University, Nanjing 211189, China; Nanjing Ziqi Transportation Industry Co., Ltd., Nanjing 211100, ChinaSchool of Transportation, Southeast University, Nanjing 211189, China; Corresponding author.School of Transportation, Southeast University, Nanjing 211189, China; Nanjing Modern Multimodal Transportation Laboratory, Nanjing 211100, ChinaSchool of Transportation, Southeast University, Nanjing 211189, ChinaHigh recycled asphalt pavement (RAP) content in asphalt mixtures provides substantial economic and environmental benefits. However, its application is hindered by performance instability caused by RAP variability. This study investigates a refined RAP particle size classification method that increases the grading levels from two to four, aiming to mitigate variability and enhance the performance of high RAP content mixtures. Laboratory-produced RAP was designed to simulate in-situ RAP properties with controlled variability in asphalt content, asphalt properties, and gradation. Recycled asphalt mixtures with RAP contents of 45 %, 60 %, and 100 % were evaluated for moisture sensitivity using immersion Marshall (retained stability) and freeze-thaw splitting tests (tensile strength ratio), low-temperature cracking resistance using semi-circular bending tests (fracture energy), and high-temperature stability using rutting tests (dynamic stability). Results demonstrate that RAP gradation variability predominantly impacts water stability, while asphalt content variability critically influences low-temperature performance. The refined classification method significantly reduced variability, enhanced mechanical properties, and stabilized overall performance. This approach offers a practical solution for improving the quality of high RAP content mixtures and advancing sustainable pavement construction practices.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214509525007910Recycled asphalt pavementVariabilityParticle size subdivisionMechanical performanceCorrelation analysis |
| spellingShingle | Guangji Xu Zan Shen Siwen Hao Mengze Du Jing Hu Mitigating RAP variability through detailed particle size classification: Applications in high RAP content asphalt mixtures Case Studies in Construction Materials Recycled asphalt pavement Variability Particle size subdivision Mechanical performance Correlation analysis |
| title | Mitigating RAP variability through detailed particle size classification: Applications in high RAP content asphalt mixtures |
| title_full | Mitigating RAP variability through detailed particle size classification: Applications in high RAP content asphalt mixtures |
| title_fullStr | Mitigating RAP variability through detailed particle size classification: Applications in high RAP content asphalt mixtures |
| title_full_unstemmed | Mitigating RAP variability through detailed particle size classification: Applications in high RAP content asphalt mixtures |
| title_short | Mitigating RAP variability through detailed particle size classification: Applications in high RAP content asphalt mixtures |
| title_sort | mitigating rap variability through detailed particle size classification applications in high rap content asphalt mixtures |
| topic | Recycled asphalt pavement Variability Particle size subdivision Mechanical performance Correlation analysis |
| url | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214509525007910 |
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