Resilient Moduli Response of Recycled Construction and Demolition Materials in Pavement Subbase Applications

Abstract

Results of an extensive series of repeated load triaxial tests performed on three major recycled construction and demolition (C&D) materials at various moisture contents and stress levels were analysed to ascertain their performance in pavement subbases. The development of the resulting permanent deformation that accumulates with the repeated loading and the determination of resilient modulus by two phases of the test are described. The experimental study shows that the C&D materials perform satisfactorily at a moisture content of about 70% of their optimum moisture contents. Furthermore, the C&D materials also satisfy the two-parameter and three-parameter models. The results of this study indicate that, at a density ratio of 98% compared to maximum dry density obtained in the modified proctor test and with moisture contents in the range of 65–90% of the optimum moisture content, most of the recycled C&D materials produce comparatively smaller permanent strain and greater resilient modulus than natural commonly used granular subbase materials in pavement subbase applications.