Evaluation of Foamed Asphalt Cold In-Place Pavement Recycling Using Nondestructive Techniques

Abstract

In light of the increasing cost of hot-mixed asphalt mixtures and the limited availability of good materials, cold in-place recycling using foamed asphalt stabilization offers an attractive alternative for rehabilitating pavements. The lack of experience—at least as far as the performance of the aforementioned technique for heavy duty pavements is concerned—led the Greek Ministry of Public Works to undertake a field experiment with the purpose of the rehabilitation of a severely damaged heavy trafficked semirigid pavement, part of the Trans European Network. In order to achieve this goal, a comprehensive monitoring and data analysis research study was performed, concentrating on the falling weight deflectometer nondestructive technique (NDT) as a major tool for the in situ evaluation (mainly in terms of deflection and layer moduli) of the recycled pavement’s early life performance. Regarding layer thickness estimation, two different approaches are used, analyzed, and thoroughly discussed, reflecting cases often encountered in practical international experience, such as the use of conventional means like coring or advanced NDT, and using the ground penetrating radar.