Blending of virgin bitumen and RA binder in mixtures with high amounts of RA

In the Netherlands, hot mix asphalt recycling has advanced to such an extent that in most of the mixtures, more than 50% of reclaimed asphalt (RA) is allowed. Mixing high percentages of RA requires superheating of new aggregates. The chapter first compares two types of hot mix recycling facilities: double drum mixer and batch plant. It then describes laboratory simulations of each recycling process and studies the blending of RA binder and virgin bitumen by means of DSR and FTIR tests. Finally, the chapter discusses the applicability of the log-pen rule in predicting the properties of recycled mixtures.