Study on Utilizing Reclaimed Asphalt Pavement in Bituminous Concrete Wearing Course with PMB 70-10 V as Binder Using Hot In-Plant Recycling Process

Abstract

India has the second-largest road network in the world of about 62.16 lakh km. Reclaimed Asphalt Pavement (RAP) is produced in huge amounts after milling the aged or high severity distress bituminous pavement. RAP can be used again in Bituminous Concrete (BC) layer construction, saving bitumen, aggregates, and landfill space. Resources are scarce in some regions of our country where the reclaimed asphalt pavement usage will be cost-effective and environmentally friendly leading to sustainable development by conserving natural resources. This paper describes the study of volumetric and mechanical properties of RAP blended Bituminous Concrete mix with PMB 70-10 V as a virgin binder. In this study, 25% of RAP is added to virgin Aggregates in proportion to the weight of aggregates in the BC mix. PMB 70-10 V is used as a virgin binder, and RAP BC Mix is designed following MS-2 Asphalt Mix Design Method. The results show that RAP Bituminous Concrete mix with PMB 70-10 V binder at 5.6% optimum binder content (OBC) and 5.8% have exhibited Volumetric and Marshall properties similar to conventional Bituminous Concrete mix with PMB 70-10 V binder at 5.4% OBC. Also, the overall cost of BC mix materials, production, transportation, and laying is reduced by 8.77% relative to conventional BC mix cost. This study also describes the challenges faced during RAP BC mix production using the Hot In-Plant recycling process and execution in a pilot project in the southern region of India.