Increasing the Use of Reclaimed Asphalt in Italy towards a Circular Economy: A Top-Down Approach

Abstract

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Economical Assessment of Recycled Asphalt Pavement (RAP) Aggregate for Structural Concrete Production in Italy

“…It is made of natural aggregates covered by a bituminous layer [16], and nowadays, it can be successfully recycled to create new asphalt. Scientific studies [17,18] and some UE countries' experiences [19] have shown the feasibility of incorporating 50-60% or more RAP for new asphalt production [20,21]. However, since road maintenance interventions occur more frequently than new road construction and complete recycling is not permitted, there is a surplus of RAP in developed countries, creating great amounts of readily available material that can potentially be reused [18].…”

“…However, since road maintenance interventions occur more frequently than new road construction and complete recycling is not permitted, there is a surplus of RAP in developed countries, creating great amounts of readily available material that can potentially be reused [18]. This is important in Italy, which has the second-highest quantity of available RAP in the EU (9.5 Mt) [21], yet only 20% of that material is reused [19] due to regulatory limits, which, depending on the bitumen type, allow only a maximum of 30%, 25%, and 15% of RAP to be used in bases, base-binders and binders, and wear courses, respectively [22][23][24]. Finding another way to employ RAP can help valorize valuable waste that otherwise will be lost.…”

“…In general, the slump of RAP concrete was lower than the control mix [31], and the mixes containing 100% RAP resulted in high stiffness [32]; however, for reduced RAP content, the admixtures reached the same class as control concrete [32], and in some cases, even registered a slump increase [33]. The air content experimented with This is important in Italy, which has the second-highest quantity of available RAP in the EU (9.5 Mt) [21], yet only 20% of that material is reused [19] due to regulatory limits, which, depending on the bitumen type, allow only a maximum of 30%, 25%, and 15% of RAP to be used in bases, base-binders and binders, and wear courses, respectively [22][23][24]. Finding another way to employ RAP can help valorize valuable waste that otherwise will be lost.…”