Improvement of Pavement Sustainability by the Use of Crumb Rubber Modified Asphalt Concrete for Wearing Courses

The main advantage of introducing crumb rubber in the production of asphalt mixtures is related to pavement's environmental sustainability. The addition of crumb rubber allows a significant amount of industrial waste to be recycled, and, in some specific cases, it allows the reduction of tire/road noise emissions. There are some other not unanimously recognized advantages related to this process, including the improvement of asphalt mixture mechanical properties and durability, as well as friction on pavement surface. This paper reports on a research project performed to evaluate the advantages of using crumb rubber in the production of low noise gap-graded asphalt concrete surfaces, by using both the wet and the dry processes, specifically designed to reduce rolling noise by optimizing surface texture. The study also compared the mechanical and functional performances of the mixes obtained by using the two technologies in order to assess their respective potentials for use as viable alternatives to other low noise asphalt surfaces that improve pavement sustainability by reducing environmental, social, and economic impacts. Results of laboratory and in situ tests, carried out on two specifically built field trials, clearly show these mixes can have optimal mechanical and functional performance as well reduce tire/road noise and warrant greater durability of wearing layers. Considering these findings, crumb rubber modified asphalt concrete can be classified as a construction material that can enhance the three dimensions of sustainability.

並列關鍵字

Crumb rubber ； Dry process ； Environmental sustainability ； Low noise asphalt surfaces ； Wet process

國際替代計量

全文下載

主題瀏覽