Using Accelerated Pavement Testing to Evaluate Reclaimed Asphalt Pavement Materials for Pavement Unbound Granular Layers

AbstractUnbound aggregate layers are commonly used as subgrade replacement and subbase over weak subgrade soils. With the recent focus on sustainable construction practices, ever-increasing transportation cost, and scarcity of natural resources, nontraditional and locally available recycled materials have become viable for the construction of unpaved and low volume roads. To this end, a research study was recently undertaken at the Illinois Center for Transportation to evaluate the engineering applications and field performances of reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP) materials used in pavement unbound base/subbase and foundation layers. Twelve different full-scale test sections were constructed for the field performance investigations with accelerated pavement testing. Construction quality control was achieved through in-place density and modulus measurements using field testing. Periodic rut measurements were carried out on pavement surfaces throughout the accelerated loading process. Observed rutting trend...