Author(s): Emily Lawson, Nathan Hughes and Olivia Bennett

Abstract: The growing demand for sustainable transportation infrastructure has accelerated the search for environmentally responsible and economically viable construction materials. This research investigates the use of recycled asphalt pavement (RAP) as a sustainable component in road infrastructure development, focusing on mechanical performance, environmental benefits, and cost efficiency. Laboratory testing was conducted using asphalt mixtures containing 0%, 30%, 50%, and 70% RAP combined with rejuvenators to evaluate Marshall stability, flow, indirect tensile strength, moisture susceptibility, rutting resistance, dynamic modulus, and fatigue behavior. Life cycle assessment (LCA) and life cycle cost analysis (LCCA) were also performed to assess environmental and economic impacts. Results revealed that RAP incorporation up to 50% significantly enhanced Marshall stability and rutting resistance without compromising moisture susceptibility or tensile performance, while 70% RAP showed a modest reduction in tensile and fatigue properties due to increased stiffness. Furthermore, increasing RAP content substantially reduced CO? emissions, energy consumption, and life-cycle costs, highlighting its sustainability potential. Statistical analysis confirmed significant performance variations across RAP levels, emphasizing the importance of mix design optimization and rejuvenator selection. These findings indicate that moderate RAP content offers an optimal balance between structural performance, cost-effectiveness, and environmental impact, while higher RAP levels require targeted design interventions. The research supports performance-based specifications and technological innovations such as warm-mix asphalt and binder rejuvenation to maximize RAP utilization.

Pages: 06-11 | Views: 20 | Downloads: 14

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