Investigation of the performance of cement-reinforced reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP) materials in plant-mix base (PMT) layers under cycling loading and cost analysis

In this thesis, the reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP) material ratios in the mix, which provide the criteria for the 100% virgin aggregate (VA) material specified by Turkey Highway Technical Specification (KTS) for the plant-mix base (PMT) layer, were determined by sieve analysis and soaked CBR tests. The asphalt content, modified proctor and permeability tests were also taken into consideration as a 100% DA control sample in order to examine the effect of RAP material. In order to benefit more from reclaimed material, the maximum RAP ratio available was determined by adding pozzolanic cement material to RAP-VA mixtures at different ratios. Following the determination of the maximum available RAP ratio, a cyclic plate loading test was carried out with repetitive loading such as traffic loads. The PMT layers prepared from the RAP blends and 100% DA material were laid on the base layer, and the permanent and elastic deformations and strains obtained at the end of the 100 cycle of 0-40 kN loading and unloading period were determined. Cost analysis of all RAP blends has been performed and it has been investigated that if the PMT layer construction and material transportation expenses are taken into account, whether it would be an economical application if the RAP materials were supplied remotely. As a result of the studies it was concluded that the use 100% of RAP materials with cement reinforcement is possible in roadway PMT layers and the RAP is an economical alternative material to virgin aggregate. This study gives significant results in terms of contributing to the literature and KTS.