Recycling of RAP using nanoclay modified asphalt binder

Abstract

The incorporation of Reclaimed Asphalt Pavement (RAP) in the recycling process of asphalt pavement can save both the environment and money. This study was conducted to investigate the use of nanomodified asphalt binder in the recycling of RAP material to increase the incorporation of RAP percentage in recycled asphalt compared to using neat (unmodified) asphalt binder. For this evaluation, a nanoclay modified and unmodified binder was used. The RAP (aged) binder was prepared by putting the unmodified binder in the Rolling Thin Film Oven (RTFO) and two cycles of Pressure Aging Vessel (PAV). Then, the rutting, fatigue, and low-temperature performance of recycled binders with different percentages of RAP during the aging of the binder were evaluate by performing Bending Beam Rheometer (BBR) at low temperature and Dynamic Shear Rheometer (DSR) at high-temperature and medium temperatures. The results demonstrated that the maximum use of 20% RAP binder (33% RAP material) was allowed in the recycled pavement using nanomodified binder. While the maximum use of 10% RAP binder (17% RAP material) was allowed with the unmodified binder. This increase in the incorporation of RAP percentage in recycled asphalt pavement can pave the path to industrialize the use of the nanomodified binder in the recycling of asphalt pavement and its usage in severe weather conditions.