Behaviour of recycled asphalt pavements at low temperatures

The paper summarizes the results of a study conducted to evaluate the behavior of recycled asphalt pavements with respect to low-temperature cracking. For this purpose, a recycled mix consisting of 45.2% reclaimed materials and 54.8% virgin materials as well as virgin control mix were used in the research program. Using mix properties that were determined experimentally in the laboratory, thermal stresses resulted from drop in temperature and the expected cracking temperature were determined for both mixes. An experimental analysis based on laboratory tests that consider the pavement properties only as well as a more complete theoretical analysis based on a finite element computer program known as FETAB were included in this study. The program incorporates subgrade parameters, as well as pavement properties and thickness. The results of the study indicated that recycled asphalt pavements would perform better than virgin asphalt pavements of similar initial properties.