Performance Characteristics of Cold In-Place Recycling Mixtures

Abstract

Cold in-place recycling (CIR) of asphalt pavements is a process that has successfully been used for many years. The use of CIR for rehabilitation offers many advantages over reconstruction. When looked at closely its sustainability aspects are particularly positive. Regardless of good performance and positive sustainability, however, the performance characteristics of CIR have not been developed. Here, CIR mixtures were designed with different emulsion types and lime slurry levels. The mixtures were then subjected to dynamic modulus, repeated load triaxial, and flexural beam fatigue testing over a range of temperature and loading conditions. The performance test data generated were then used to generate CIR rutting and fatigue performance models developed for use in the Nevada Department of Transportation’s Pavement ME software. In addition, the reflective cracking characteristics of the CIR mixtures were evaluated in terms cycles to failure, crack initiation, and crack propagation.