Rutting resistance of rubberized asphalt concrete pavements containing reclaimed asphalt pavement mixtures

Improved understanding of rutting resistance of a rubberized asphalt concrete pavement that contains reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP) is important to stimulating the use of rubberized asphalt mixtures. Use of RAP in the past has proved to be economical, environmentally sound, and effective in increasing the rutting resistance of asphalt mixtures. Rubberized asphalt has been used successfully in improving the mechanical characteristics, such as rutting resistance, of typical hot mix asphalt (HMA) mixture around the country and the world. The objective of this research was to investigate the rutting resistance characteristics of the rubberized asphalt mixtures through a laboratory testing program. The experimental design included use of two rubber types (ambient and cryogenically produced), four rubber contents, and three crumb rubber sizes. The results of the experiments indicated that the use of RAP and crumb rubber in the HMA can effectively improve the rut resistance of these mixes.