LABORATORY INVESTIGATIONS ON STABILIZED RECLAIMED ASPHALT

PAVEMENT (RAP) MATERIAL

Ayyanna Habal*, M.S. Amarnath** and G.L. Sivakumar Babu***

ABSTRACT
Every year Hot Mix Asphalt (HMA) roadways are rehabilitated by milling the existing roadway and replacing the milled portion
with new HMA. As a result, a tremendous amount of Reclaimed Asphalt Pavement (RAP) is created and also large amount of good
quality aggregates are required to construct new pavement by conventional method. This leads to the exploitation of mother earth
causing ecological imbalance, scarcity of new materials, natural resource depletion and many environmental issues. The RAP material
can be reused by stabilization with cementing material is a good option to obtain a stiff pavement base course structure with better
load dispersing characteristics. The utilization of RAP material in road bases and sub-bases has been limited because there is lack of
laboratory and field performance data. Hence in the present study an attempt is made to characterize the RAP material stabilized with
cementitious stabilizer for road bases by conducting various laboratory investigations. This paper consist laboratory evaluation of
stabilized reclaimed asphalt pavement material. Cylindrical specimens of 100 mm diameter and 200 mm height are prepared by RAP
material blended with virgin aggregate and 4, 5, and 6% stabilizer dosages cured for 3, 7, 14, 28, 56 and 90 days curing period and
Unconfined Compressive Strength (UCS), Durability, and Ultrasonic Pulse Velocity (UPV) tests are conducted. From the laboratory
studies it was observed that the stabilization of RAP with RBI Grade-81 increases the strength and durability with increase in dosage
of stabilizer and curing period.

1 INTRODUCTION
A flexible pavement system basically
consists of an asphalt surface layer,
a base course, a sub-base and the
subgrade. The sub-base layer is
employed as subsurface drainage
layer, whereas, the base course which
is in between the surface layer and the
sub-base plays a very prominent role
in transferring the loads coming onto
the surface layer. Thus, base courses
in flexible pavements help to distribute
the traffic load. This ability to
distribute load is primarily a function
of stiffness and depth of base course.
The quality of the base course material
also affects the load distribution. While
distributing the load, the base course
itself must not be a cause of failure.
Therefore, the base course must have
enough strength to carry loads without
shear failure. Traditionally natural
aggregates derived from a variety
of rock sources have been used as a
road base material. But the extraction
of these natural aggregate resources
is increasingly being constrained
by urbanization, increased costs
and environmental concerns. Thus,
Recycling of pavement materials
has become an alternative in road
maintenance and rehabilitation by
* Former M.E. Student, E-mail: ayyanna.habal@gmail.com, ** Professor, E-mail: amaranth_ms@rediffmail.com Department
of Civil Engineering, UVCE Bangalore University, Bangalore, *** Professor, E-mail: gls@civil.iisc.ernet.in Department of
Civil Engineering Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore
conserving the natural resources. The
use of reclaimed pavement materials
in road construction could serve the
purpose of reducing the amount of
construction debris disposed of in
landfills, reducing environmental
disturbance and the rate of natural
resource depletion.
Most reclaimed asphalt pavement
materials, when used as a total
substitute for natural aggregates
in base applications, do not often
meet the minimum requirements
of standards/specifications. In such
cases, stabilization with stabilizers
like lime, cement or RBI Grade-81
allows the use of these low quality
reclaimed asphalt pavement materials
with the minimum required strength
characteristics. Stabilization of base
course with traditional stabilizers
like lime, cement forms the rigid base
which may leads to the cracking/
fatigue failure (Grey et al 2011)
meanwhile it should not be too much
flexible. It should be in between rigid
and flexible, semi-rigid layer is suitable
for base course this can be achieved
by stabilization with non-traditional
stabilizer like RBI Grade-81. It is
a natural inorganic, cementitious
hydration activated powder-based soil
stabilizer, developed for stabilization
of wide variety of soils. In the
present study the Reclaimed Asphalt
Pavement (RAP) material stabilized
with cementitious stabilizer. The
purpose of this study is to characterize
the RAP material stabilized with 4%,
5% and 6% stabilizer and present its
implications.
2 OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY
The main objectives of the present
study are:
To study the compaction and
CBR characteristics of RAP
material stabilized with 0, 4, 5
and 6% dosage of stabilizer.
To study the UCS characteristics
of stabilized RAP mix cured for
3, 7, 14, 28, 56 and 90 days.
Study the durability of stabilized
RAP.
Present relationships of
unconfined compression strength,
between curing period and
dosage.
3 REVIEW OF LITERATURE
Taha et al (1999) studied laboratory
evaluation of RAP and RAP-virgin
aggregate mixtures as road base and
sub-base materials at Oman and found

INDIAN HIGHWAYS, jUly 2015 5


that stabilized RAP material able to
function as conventional sub-base
material. Another study conducted by
Thammovong et al (2006) evaluated
the RAP material stabilized with
cement as treated base by conducting
laboratory tests like UCS, ITS and
Resilient modulus(Mr) tests and
found that stabilization of RAP with
cement drastically increases the
strength with increase in stabilizer
dosage and curing period. Similar
study conducted by Grey et al (2011)
found that cement stabilized pavement
layer from 1% to 3% cement content
should be modeled as lightly bound
material and cement content greater
than 3% yields bound material.Solanki
et al (2010) investigated the effects of
different percentages of one traditional
additive- hydrated lime and two by-
products Class C fly ash (CFA) and
cement kiln dust (CKD) on the resilient
modulus (Mr) of four different clay
subgrades. It was found that at lower
application rates (3% to 6%), the
lime-stabilized soil specimens showed
highest enhancement in the Mr values.
At higher application rates (10%
to 15%), however, CKD treatment
provided maximum improvements.
Chai et al(2005)conducted a case
study of in-situ stabilization of road
base trial section in Malaysia. The
Falling Weight Deflectometer (FWD)
was adopted to determine the in situ
stiffness of the cement stabilized
road base material. The FWD would
assess the compressive strength and
the material stiffness of the cement
stabilized layer. The improvement
in the stiffness of the stabilized base
layer was monitored. FWD was
found to be useful for the structural
assessment of the cement stabilized
base layer prior to the placement of
asphalt layers. Using the FWD data,
Chai et al proposed an empirical
relationship between the deflection
and the stiffness modulus of the
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TECHNICAL PAPERS
pavement foundation. To check
the suitability of RBI Grade-81
stabilization in base layer Kumar et al
(2010) studied the soil and aggregate
stabilization using RBI Grade-81
stabilizers for subgrade and base
layer and found that RBI Grade-81
stabilized aggregate layer is suitable
as a base layer.
From the literature survey it was
observed that the RAP material can
be recycled and utilized in the base
course with new or virgin aggregates
to an extent of 10 to 100% RAP (Taha
et al 1999, 2002, Thammavong et
al 2006) in presence of stabilizing
materials like fly ash, lime, cement,
foamed bitumen and RBI Grade-81
etc. which improves the strength and
durability of the RAP mix. Many
researches have been conducted on
stabilization of RAP material with
traditional stabilizers like lime,
cement, foamed bitumen etc. but
limited researchdonein the area of
stabilization of RAP material with
non-traditional stabilizers like RBI
Grade-81 stabilizer. Hence in the
present study an attempt is made
Table 1 Physical Properties of Test Materials
Test RAP New Aggregate
Crushing Test 15.63%
Impact Test 21.45%
Specific gravity 2.15
Crushing and impact test results of
RAP are lower compared to new
aggregates this is because RAP
aggregates are coated with asphalt
binder which prevents crushing
and breaking of aggregates to some
extent. Also coating of RAP with
low specific gravity asphalt binder
decreased the specific gravity of RAP
than new aggregates.
to characterize the RAP material
stabilized with RBI Grade-81
stabilizer.
4 LABORATORY
INVESTIGATIONS
The experimental program was
designed and conducted to test and
determine the strength and durability
properties of stabilized RAP material
specimens at obtained gradation and
different dosage levels of stabilizer.
RAP mix specimens of size 100 mm
diameter and 200 mm height are
prepared and tested to determine the
strength and durability properties at
4%, 5% and 6% stabilizer contents.
4.1 Properties of the Test Materials
To check the suitability of materials,
a series of basic and engineering
tests have been conducted on new
aggregate and RAP material. The
basic tests include: grain size
distribution test, specific gravity,
impact test, and crushing strength
test. All the tests were conducted in
accordance with the current IS and
ASTM standard testing procedures.
Table 1 presents the physical
properties of test materials.
Standard Values as
per MoRTH
26.92% ---
23.45% Max 27%
2.68 ---
4.2 Material Proportioning by Trial
and Error Method
Due to mechanical degradation
during asphalt pavement removal
and pulverization the gradation is
disturbed. To get desired gradation
and percentage of additional material
required to be mixed with RAP
material; trial and error method is
adopted. The test results are shown
in Table 2 and grain size distribution
curves are shown in Fig. 1.
 TECHNICAL PAPERS
Table 2 Grain Size Distribution of Materials strength gaining. In order to determine
Gradation the strength of RAP mix CBR test
Sieve % Passing MoRT&H Limits was carried out as per IS:2720 part-16
Size, (Stabilized Base, Table for 0, 4, 5 and 6% stabilizer dosages
mm 400-4) immediately after preparing the
RAP 12.5 mm Dust Desired Lower Limit Upper sample. However soaked CBR test
down Grading (LL) Limit (UL) was conducted on untreated RAP mix.
(DG)
The strength of the RAP mix increases
37.5 100 100 100 100 95 100
with increase in curing period. To
19.0 98.00 100 100 99 45 100 study this increase CBR tests were
9.50 66.98 66.7 100 77 35 100 also carried out on RAP mix cured for
4.75 33.06 1.10 99.6 45 25 100 7 days. The test results are shown in
0.60 6.50 0.25 47 17 8 65 Table 3.
0.30 3.86 0.20 34 12 5 40 Compaction test and un-soaked CBR
0.075 0.81 0.20 11 4 0 10 tests are conducted immediately after
preparation of RAP mix samples at
From trial and error method, the of 45, 25 and 30% respectively. this point of time stabilizer acts like
suitable proportion of RAP material, Modified proctor compaction test is low density (700 kg/m3) fine material
12.5 mm down aggregates and stone carried out as per IS:2720 part-8 for 0, and it will not provide any bonding.
dust to be mixed to get desired 4, 5 and 6% stabilizer dosages. OMC Hence decrease in un-soaked CBR
gradation are 45, 25 and 30% and MDD were determined for various and MDD with increase in stabilizer
respectively. dosages of stabilizers. The test results dosage was due to increase in low
are presented in Table 3. density fines content. However 7 days
4.4 California Bearing Ratio (CBR) cured sample CBR increased with
Test increase in stabilizer dosage this is
Need for the CBR test was to check contributed by cementing action of
the contribution of stabilizer in stabilizer.

Table 3 Results of Compaction and CBR Test

Stabilizer Dosage OMC in % MDD in g/cc CBR (%)
in % Unsoaked 7 Days Cured
Fig. 1 Grain Size Distribution Curve of
RAP Mix 0 8.60 2.177 104 95
Results shows that 12.5 mm down and 4 8.40 2.150 85 123
stone dust of 25 and 30 % respectively
5 8.60 2.170 76 185
are required to get the suitable graded
material for road construction. This 6 9.20 2.163 102 228
is because even after pulverization
process fines of the RAP are in bonded 4.5 Unconfined Compressive of RAP mix treated with 4, 5 and
state with asphalt so we cannot extract Strength (UCS) Test 6% stabilizer dosages and cured for
these fines; this led to the higher In order to study the effect of 3, 7, 14, 28, 56 and 90 days under
requirement of fines in blend. stabilizer dosage and curing period damp sand. Fig. 2 shows the relation
4.3 Compaction Characteristics on strength of RAP mix, UCS test between unconfined compressive
The RAP mix is prepared by blending was carried out as per IS:2720 strength and curing period for RAP
RAP material, new aggregate and Part-10 on 100 mm diameter and mix treated with different dosage of
stone dust in the obtained proportions 200 mm height cylindrical specimens stabilizer.

INDIAN HIGHWAYS, jUly 2015 7


Fig. 2 Effect of Curing Period on Unconfined Compressive Strength
Fig. 3 shows the relation between
Static Elastic Modulus and curing
Fig. 3 Effect of Curing Period on Static Elastic Modulus
From the UCS test it was observed
that strength of the stabilized RAP
mix increases with increase in
stabilizer dosage and curing period
this is because stabilizer used is
cementation in nature as the dosage
and curing period increases bonding
between the RAP material, new
aggregates and fines increases which
helpsin gaining the strength.
4.5.1 Analysis of UCS Test Results
Multiple linear regression analysis is
conducted to develop the model by
considering dependent variable as
UCS and independent variables as
8 INDIAN HIGHWAYS, jUly 2015
TECHNICAL PAPERS
period for different dosage of
stabilizer.
varying curing period andstabilizer
dosage. Equation 1 presents the
multiple linear regression model
obtained based on the analysis. The
equation has correlation coefficient
of determination (R) of 0.972
and corresponds to 95% level of
confidence with a standard error
of 161.8 kPa. It may be noted that
maximum and minimum values used
in the analysis are 2826 kPa and
386 kPa respectively and hence the
regression equation represents the best
fit among the considered variables.
A comparison of measured and
predicted values of UCS is given in
Fig. 4.
UCS = -1347.73 + 429.90*(1) +
14.93*(2) ... Equ (1)
Where,
UCS = Unconfined Compressive
Strength in kPa
1 = Stabilizer dosage in %
2 = Curing period in days
4.6 Ultrasonic Pulse Velocity (UPV)
Test
In order to determine the dynamic
modulus of stabilized RAP mix UPV
test was conducted. Ultrasonic waves
have a higher transmission velocity
than sound waves. These waves
can pass through solids and can be
detected at far ends. The velocity and
scatter of the waves depend mainly on
the density and the elastic property
of the medium. The test consists of
short bursts of waves of frequency
range 20-150 kHz using an acoustic-
electro transducer and detecting the
pulses by the receiver across the
body of the specimen. The equipment
measures and records the time taken
by the waves to travel through the
specimen. Velocity is determined
from the time of travel which will
be in microseconds.The test is
conducted as per IS:13311 Part 1
(2004). Dynamic Youngs Modulus (E)
is determined by using the following
relation.
Where,
E = Dynamic Youngs Modulus in
MPa
= Dynamic poisons ratio
= Density in kg/m3
V = pulse velocity in Km/sec
In the present study for the calculation
of dynamic modulus, poisons ratio is
assumed as 0.25 and the density is taken
from compaction test for respective

dosages of stabilizer. The results of
UPV test are presented in Table 4.
Fig. 4 Measured Vs. Predicted UCS Values
Table 4 Results of Ultrasonic Pulse Velocity Test
Stabilizer Dosage in Pulse Velocity (m/s)
% Modulus, E in MPa
4 1069
5 1740
6 2248
Fig. 5 Ultrasonic Pulse Velocity Testing
From UPV test results it was
observed that dynamic modulus of
the stabilized RAP mix increases
with increase in stabilizer
dosage indicating that RAP mix
stabilized with 6% stabilizer is
better than 4 and 5%. Increase in
stabilizer dosage provides more
bonding material in the mix which
leads to the stronger mix.
INDIAN HIGHWAYS, jUly 2015 9
TECHNICAL PAPERS
Ultrasonic Pulse Velocity Testing is 4.7 Durability Test
shown in Fig. 5. In order to check the durability of
the stabilized mix for base course
durability test by method-1 as per
IRC:SP:89-2010 is conducted. Two
identical set (containing 3 specimens
each) of UCS specimen which are
cured in a normal manner (under damp
sand) at constant moisture content for
7 days. At the end of 7 days period
one set is immersed in water while the
other set is continued to cure under
damp sand. When both sets are 14
days old they are tested for UCS. The
strength of the set immersed in water
as a percentage of the strength of set
cured at constant moisture content is
calculated. This index is a measure of
Dynamic Youngs the resistance to the effect of water on
strength. If this value is lower than 80
2047 % it is considered that the stabilizer
content is low and its value should be
5477
increased. The results are shown in
9106 Table 5.
Table 5 Results of Durability Test
Stabilizer UCS in kPa % UCS of Soaked
Dosage in 14 Days Cured 7 Days Sand Cured + Sample w.r.t
% under Damp 7 Days Immersed in Normal Cured
Sand Water Sample
(a) (b) (c) (c/b*100)
4 591 602 101.86
5 993 1030 103.73
6 1034 1121 108.41
It was observed that the UCS 5 CONCLUSIONS
value of 7 days normal cured and Based on the laboratory investigations
7 days soaked specimens has been following conclusions are made:
marginally increased about 1.86,
With increase in dosage of stabi-
3.72 and 8.41% for 4, 5 and 6%
lizer there is no significant varia-
stabilizer dosages respectively,
compared to 14 days normal tion in OMC and corresponding
cured specimens in all the dosages MDD.
of stabilizer. This is because of With increase in dosage of
cementation action of stabilizer due stabilizer there is an increase
to soaking of stabilized mix. in CBR value of about 29,

95 and 140% for 4, 5 and 6%
respectively.
UCS, Static and Dynamic elastic
modulus values of RAP material
stabilized with 4, 5 and 6% dosage
of stabilizer cured for 3, 7 and
28 days increased with the
increment of stabilizer content to
the RAP aggregate and a longer
curing duration could also lead to
a higher strength.
Laboratory durability test
indicated that stabilized RAP
mix is durable. However field
durability test is required to
confirm.
REFERENCES
1. Anouksak Thammavong and Prof.
Dr. Direk Lavansiri. Cement Sta-
10 INDIAN HIGHWAYS, jUly 2015
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Pavement Aggregate for Base
Layer, Technology and Innovation
for Sustainable Development
Conference, Thailand, January 2006.
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Balasubramaniam, A.S. In-Situ
Stabilization of Road Base Using
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International Offshore and Polar
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Zaman, and Jeff Dean Resilient
Modulus of Clay Subgrades
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