Experimental Investigation on Water Loss and Stiffness of CBTM Using Different RA Sources

Cold recycling of reclaimed asphalt (RA) is a promising technique to build or to maintain roads, combining performance and environmental advantages. Although this technique has been extensively used worldwide, there is no unique and internationally-shared method to characterize cold recycled mixtures. The previous work of the RILEM TC 237-SIB TG6 successfully attempted to characterize different RA sources with both traditional parameters (gradation, bitumen content and geometrical properties) and non-conventional properties (fragmentation and strength testing). The current RILEM TC 264-RAP TG1 mainly focuses on the influence of different RA sources on physical and mechanical characteristics of cement-bitumen treated materials (CBTM) using foam or emulsified bitumen, taking into consideration compaction and curing methods. This paper presents results from the first step of the inter-laboratory project in which foamed bitumen and cement were used as binders. The influence of two RA sources, one from Alabama (USA) and one from San Marino, were investigated through the collaboration of several laboratories. Specimens were manufactured with the same diameter by means of both Marshall and gyratory compactors and then cured following two procedures: free surface drying (FSD) and partially-surface drying (PSD). A preliminary study allowed obtaining specimens with similar volumetric properties. Along with compactability and water loss, the indirect tensile stiffness modulus was measured and analyzed. The results have shown that the RA source and curing procedure influence the CBTM mechanical properties