Performance of Asphalt Rejuvenators in Hot-Mix Asphalt Containing Recycled Asphalt Shingles

Abstract

The use of recycled asphalt shingles (RAS) in asphalt paving construction represents a sustainable approach to reduce virgin material consumption and negative environmental effects, as well as the cost of asphalt pavement. However, many challenges are yet to be addressed about the use of RAS in paving applications. This study evaluated the effect of the incorporation of postconsumer waste shingles and rejuvenators on the performance of hot-mix asphalt. Four asphalt rejuvenators—one bio-oil and three synthetic oils—were evaluated. A set of laboratory tests was conducted to characterize the performance of asphalt mixtures against permanent deformation and fatigue cracking. The addition of 5% RAS showed an improvement in permanent deformation when compared with a conventional mixture with no RAS. Yet the addition of asphalt rejuvenator products slightly decreased the performance against permanent deformation. On the basis of Hamburg wheel-tracking device test results, the addition of RAS did not adversely affect moisture resistance. Yet semicircular bending test results showed that the asphalt mixtures that contained asphalt rejuvenators had a lower critical strain energy release rate than the minimum threshold value (0.5 kJ/m2), which indicated a greater susceptibility to intermediate-temperature cracking.