Fiber-Emulsified Asphalt Cold-Recycled Mixture Produced Using Vertical Vibration Compaction: Performance Study

Abstract

The effects of fiber type and content on the properties of emulsified asphalt cold recycled mixture (ECRM) produced using vertical vibration compaction are examined. The reliability of the vertical vibration testing method (VVTM) is verified by comparing the physical properties of VVTM-prepared samples with those prepared via the Marshall compaction method (MCM) and with the mechanical properties of core samples from a construction site. Furthermore, the mechanical strength and pavement performance of ECRM with different fibers are tested. Finally, using the entropy-weight technique for order of preference by similarity to ideal solution (TOPSIS) model, the fiber type and content for the optimal comprehensive performance of ECRM are recommended. Results show that the correlation between the mechanical strength of the VVTM-prepared ECRM sample and construction site core sample is >90%. An increase in fiber content first increases and then decreases the mechanical strength and road performance of the ECRM; its influence on water stability is not significant. With the same fiber content, the improvement effect of four fiber types on ECRM’s comprehensive performance is ordered as follows: lignin fiber > polyester fiber > mineral fiber > basalt fiber. Based on the entropy-weight TOPSIS model, 0.4% lignin fiber content is the optimal scheme for the comprehensive performance of ECRM. Overall, the results provide a reference for the fiber type and content selection for ECRM and have important engineering significance for improving ECRM’s comprehensive performance.