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Reclaimed Asphalt Pavement - A Mechanical Performance Study Across Temperatures

Thomasson, Gustav LU (2026) In CODEN: LUTVDG/(TVTT-5384)/1- 67/2026 VTVM05 20261
Transport and Roads
Abstract
Reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP) is one of the most widely recycled materials in the
world and its use in asphalt mixtures has increased significantly due to environmental and
economic benefits. However, incorporation of RAP may alter mechanical performance of
pavement, particularly its resistance to cracking and rutting. This study aims to investigate
the influence of RAP content on mechanical behavior of asphalt mixtures across a range
of temperatures. Laboratory testing was conducted on mix designs with varying RAP
content in order to evaluate susceptibility to cracking and rutting, respectively. Cracking
resistance was assessed using Cracking Tolerance Index (CTI) at 5 and 35 ͦC, whilst rutting
resistance was evaluated using... (More)
Reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP) is one of the most widely recycled materials in the
world and its use in asphalt mixtures has increased significantly due to environmental and
economic benefits. However, incorporation of RAP may alter mechanical performance of
pavement, particularly its resistance to cracking and rutting. This study aims to investigate
the influence of RAP content on mechanical behavior of asphalt mixtures across a range
of temperatures. Laboratory testing was conducted on mix designs with varying RAP
content in order to evaluate susceptibility to cracking and rutting, respectively. Cracking
resistance was assessed using Cracking Tolerance Index (CTI) at 5 and 35 ͦC, whilst rutting
resistance was evaluated using Rutting Tolerance Index (RTI) at 35 and 65 ͦC. Results
indicate that an increase of RAP content generally increases the stiffness of the mix. While
higher stiffness improves resistance to permanent deformation at elevated temperatures,
susceptibility to cracking may be compromised, particularly at lower temperatures. These
findings highlight the importance of balancing RAP content and mechanical performance
when designing asphalt mixtures for different climactic conditions. This study provides
insight into optimization of mix design to ensure both durability and sustainability in
pavement construction. (Less)
Popular Abstract (Swedish)
Returasfalt (RAP) är ett av världens mest återvunna material och användningen i asfaltsblandningar har ökat betydligt till följd av miljömässiga och ekonomiska fördelar. Inblandning av RAP kan dock påverka beläggningens mekaniska egenskaper, särskilt dess motstånd mot sprickbildning och permanenta deformationer. Syftet med studien är att undersöka hur olika halter av RAP påverkar asfaltsblandningars mekaniska beteende vid varierande temperaturer. Laboratorieförsök genomfördes på blandningar med varierande RAP-halt för att utvärdera dess känslighet för sprickbildning respektive permanenta deformationer. Sprickmotståndet utvärderades med hjälp av den amerikanska standarden Cracking Tolerance Index (CTI) vid 5 och 35 ͦC, medan motståndet mot... (More)
Returasfalt (RAP) är ett av världens mest återvunna material och användningen i asfaltsblandningar har ökat betydligt till följd av miljömässiga och ekonomiska fördelar. Inblandning av RAP kan dock påverka beläggningens mekaniska egenskaper, särskilt dess motstånd mot sprickbildning och permanenta deformationer. Syftet med studien är att undersöka hur olika halter av RAP påverkar asfaltsblandningars mekaniska beteende vid varierande temperaturer. Laboratorieförsök genomfördes på blandningar med varierande RAP-halt för att utvärdera dess känslighet för sprickbildning respektive permanenta deformationer. Sprickmotståndet utvärderades med hjälp av den amerikanska standarden Cracking Tolerance Index (CTI) vid 5 och 35 ͦC, medan motståndet mot permanenta deformationer analyserades med hjälp av standarden Rutting Tolerance Index (RTI) vid 35 och 65 ͦC. Resultaten visar att en ökad RAP-halt generellt leder till ökad styvhet i blandningen. Den högre styvheten förbättrar motståndet mot permanenta deformationer vid höga temperaturer, men kan samtidigt försämra motståndet mot sprickbildning, särskilt vid lägre temperaturer. Resultaten belyser vikten av att balansera RAP-halt och mekanisk prestanda vid dimensionering av asfaltsblandningar för olika klimatförhållanden. Studien bidrar med kunskap om hur asfaltsblandningar kan optimeras för att säkerställa både hållbarhet och långsiktig beständighet inom vägbyggnation. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
Thomasson, Gustav LU
supervisor
organization
course
VTVM05 20261
year
type
H3 - Professional qualifications (4 Years - )
subject
keywords
Reclaimed Asphalt Pavement (RAP), Asphalt mixtures, Mechanical performance, Temperature dependency, Cracking resistance, Rutting Resistance
publication/series
CODEN: LUTVDG/(TVTT-5384)/1- 67/2026
report number
417
ISSN
1653-1922
language
English
id
9228781
date added to LUP
2026-05-28 08:05:05
date last changed
2026-05-28 08:05:05
@misc{9228781,
  abstract     = {{Reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP) is one of the most widely recycled materials in the
world and its use in asphalt mixtures has increased significantly due to environmental and
economic benefits. However, incorporation of RAP may alter mechanical performance of
pavement, particularly its resistance to cracking and rutting. This study aims to investigate
the influence of RAP content on mechanical behavior of asphalt mixtures across a range
of temperatures. Laboratory testing was conducted on mix designs with varying RAP
content in order to evaluate susceptibility to cracking and rutting, respectively. Cracking
resistance was assessed using Cracking Tolerance Index (CTI) at 5 and 35 ͦC, whilst rutting
resistance was evaluated using Rutting Tolerance Index (RTI) at 35 and 65 ͦC. Results
indicate that an increase of RAP content generally increases the stiffness of the mix. While
higher stiffness improves resistance to permanent deformation at elevated temperatures,
susceptibility to cracking may be compromised, particularly at lower temperatures. These
findings highlight the importance of balancing RAP content and mechanical performance
when designing asphalt mixtures for different climactic conditions. This study provides
insight into optimization of mix design to ensure both durability and sustainability in
pavement construction.}},
  author       = {{Thomasson, Gustav}},
  issn         = {{1653-1922}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  note         = {{Student Paper}},
  series       = {{CODEN: LUTVDG/(TVTT-5384)/1- 67/2026}},
  title        = {{Reclaimed Asphalt Pavement - A Mechanical Performance Study Across Temperatures}},
  year         = {{2026}},
}