Abstract:
The research presented in this thesis investigated the effect of various rejuvenation agents on the performance of hot-mix asphalt (HMA) surfacing mixes containing high levels of recycled asphalt pavement (RAP) material (30%). The research aimed to develop testing methodologies for evaluating the mechanical performance properties of HMA mixes and for the characterisation of extracted binder properties. The methodologies were used determine the effects of various rejuvenators on the mechanical performance properties and binder properties fundamental to the long-term performance of pavement surfaces. A testing methodology was developed to investigate the performance properties of five HMA mixes including four mixes that were rejuvenated using different rejuvenation agents and one control. The mechanical testing methodology provided a comprehensive assessment of mix properties that are fundamental to the long-term performance of recycled pavements. A methodology for the characterisation of extracted binders was developed to evaluate properties that had a significant effect on the performance of the binder and therefore the overall mix. The binder properties were compared to results obtained from mechanical performance tests to establish a relationship between binder rejuvenation and performance observations. The results obtained from mechanical testing demonstrated that the cracking resistance of recycled mixes could be significantly improved through the use of rejuvenation agents. Rejuvenation also decreased the stiffness of the mix and had a negative effect on the resistance of a mix to permanent deformation. From the characterisation of the binder, it was found that rejuvenation agents altered the rheological properties of the binder but did not have a notable effect on chemical composition. The rheological performance parameters of the binder correlated to the mix performance observed from mechanical tests. Overall this research has shown that rejuvenation agents can be utilised to enhance the performance of recycled mixes by restoring binder properties.
