Use of Polymer Fiber to Improve Mechanical Properties of HMA Containing Recycled Asphalt Pavement (RAP)

A great percentage of highways and roads in California are constructed with Hot Mix Asphalt (HMA) and as California infrastructure ages, these highways and roads must be maintained and rehabilitated. Recycling aggregates and other highway construction materials makes sound economic, environmental, and engineering sense. Reclaimed Asphalt Pavements (RAP) is considered an excellent alternative to virgin materials because it reduces the use of virgin aggregate. Also, the use of RAP decreases the amount of construction waste placed into landfills and does not deplete nonrenewable natural resources such as virgin aggregate. Also, energy savings can be realized through the use of RAP in roadway construction by reducing the processing and haulage of virgin aggregate materials. However, the performance of HMA containing RAP depends on the percentage of RAP incorporated in the mix. This proposed laboratory study is to investigate the use of commercial polymer fiber in improving the mechanical properties of HMA with RAP percentages higher than what is currently approved by State Transportation DOTs. Also, the use of this type of fiber could help reduce the amount of binder needed in the HMA mix, which will provide another cost saving.