Performance of a sustainable asphalt mix incorporating high RAP content and novel bio-derived binder

Abstract

The recent drive to find ways to increase sustainability and decrease costs in asphalt paving has led researchers to find innovative ways to incorporate more recycled materials and bioderived binders into mixes with varying success. A new novel bio-derived binder made from refined pine chemistry stabilized with a polymer can increase the sustainability of asphalt mixes while maintaining pavement performance. Laboratory performance testing was conducted on asphalt mixes containing 50% Reclaimed Asphalt Pavement (RAP) by mix weight and the novel bio-derived binder. Results show that the bio-derived binder outperforms the conventional 50/70 pen grade binder mixes with respect to resistance to thermal cracking and adequately passes all requirements for pavements with 20-year design loadings of less than 30 million ESALs. This research shows that asphalt mixes containing 50% RAP and a bio-derived binder can be designed to pass performance criteria at low, intermediate, and high temperatures without the need of neat bitumen.

Ambient-pressure lignin valorization to high-performance polymers by intensified reductive catalytic deconstruction

“…Cellulose and hemicellulose are polysaccharides that are readily converted into fuels and chemicals, such as hydroxymethylfurfural or sugar alcohols such as xylitol, through straightforward acid catalysis (5,10), while lignin is a complex aromatic polymer network whose valorization is challenging because of its inherent recalcitrance (1,5). Presently, lignin is separated from biomass at a rate of approximately 70 to 100 million metric tons/year through pulping or biorefining processes (11,12), but most isolated lignins have a dark color, strong odor, broad molecular weight distribution, and limited reactivity (5,(13)(14)(15), which restricts them to low-value applications (e.g., fillers for tires, asphalt, or concrete) (16,17). Furthermore, there is substantial variability in the composition, chemical structure, cost, and environmental impact of technical lignins due to differences among feedstocks and pulping/refining techniques (13,(18)(19)(20).…”

Renewable binders from waste biomass for road construction: A review on thermochemical conversion technologies and current developments

“…50% RA) could be incorporated into asphalt mixtures with suitable biobinders, restoring their rheological properties and enhancing the performance of the mixture [116][117][118][119][120]. Such bio-derived mixtures with RA can sufficiently pass the design requirements for pavements and perform well at low, intermediate and high temperatures without the need of neat bitumen [121]. Table 6 summarises the results of the recycled asphalt and biobinder studies found.…”

Influence of a Rejuvenator on Homogenization of an Asphalt Mixture with Increased Content of Reclaimed Asphalt Pavement in Lowered Technological Temperatures

“…Meanwhile, Baqersad and Ali (2021) [ 29 ] have investigated the use of a nanomodified asphalt binder in the recycling of RAP material to increase the incorporation of RAP percentages in recycled asphalt. In general, there are many different studies on the use of rejuvenators for the homogenization of asphalt mixtures with RAP [ 30 , 31 , 32 , 33 , 34 , 35 , 36 , 37 , 38 , 39 , 40 , 41 , 42 , 43 ].…”