Characterization of Asphalt Binder Extracted from Reclaimed Asphalt Shingles

An 80% increase in the amount of reclaimed asphalt shingles (RAS) used in asphalt mixtures was reported from 2009 to 2012. Despite this increase, there is still little guidance given on the characterization of RAS binder in American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) MP 023 and PP 078. In addition to the lack of direction, many contractors and owner agencies do not have equipment capable of determining the actual high and low temperature performance grades (PG) of the RAS binder; therefore, work needs to be completed which can aid owner agencies and contractors in determining the true PG grades of RAS binder. While a common virgin binder is PG 64 – 22, RAS binders are much stiffer with critical high temperature grades between 140 and 180°C and critical low temperature grades between 0 and 40°C. If this stiffer binder is not considered in design, it can negatively influence fatigue and thermal cracking performance. The objective of this research is to investigate methods of characterizing RAS asphalt binder for both the critical high and low temperatures. Binder was extracted from RAS and tested to determine the true (or measured) PG grade of the binder. In addition to direct measurement, extrapolation methods were assessed to determine appropriateness in case equipment was not available for direct measurement. Finally, within sample and between sample testing variability was quantified for RAS binders using conventional testing methodology. These tests were completed on RAS samples from across the U.S. and included both post-consumer (PC) and manufacturers’ waste (MW) RAS. Ultimately, it was determined that one could extrapolate the critical high temperature grade of RAS binders ensuring that variability and outliers were considered in the analysis; however, less repeatable and reliable results were discovered when assessing critical low temperatures.

• Record URL:
  https://eng.auburn.edu/research/centers/ncat/files/technical-reports/rep16-01.pdf
• 
• Corporate Authors:

  National Center for Asphalt Technology

  Auburn University
  Auburn, Alabama  United States 

  Federal Highway Administration

  1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
  Washington, DC  United States  20590
• Authors:
  • Willis, J Richard
  • Turner, Pamela
• Publication Date: 2016-1

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Digital/other
• Edition: Final Report
• Features: Appendices; Figures; References; Tables;
• Pagination: 39p

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Asphalt mixtures; Bituminous binders; Shingles; Temperature; Waste products (Materials)
• Uncontrolled Terms: Performance grade
• Subject Areas: Highways; Materials; Pavements;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01600177
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: NCAT Report 16-01
• Contract Numbers: G00007328
• Files: TRIS, ATRI, USDOT
• Created Date: May 26 2016 9:21AM