Industrial-Scale Production and Performance Evaluation of Asphalt Mixtures with High Rates of Recycled Aggregates

This study explores the industrial-scale production and application of asphalt mixtures incorporating high rates of recycled concrete aggregates (RCA), steel slag aggregates (SSA), and reclaimed asphalt (RA). With a dedicated focus on sustainability within road construction, the investigation scrutinizes two specific asphalt mixtures through a comprehensive field trial section. The findings reveal strict adherence to nationally specified standards, and the water sensitivity tests demonstrate excellent performance. The structural evaluations of the pavement trial, utilizing both Light Weight Deflectometer (LWD) and Falling Weight Deflectometer (FWD), demonstrate a commendable load-bearing capacity. However, surface characterization tests reveal a lack of skid resistance, a problem expected to be solved after the bitumen surface film has worn off with increased traffic volume. This research underscores the critical importance of an exhaustive evaluation of pavement trials with new materials, providing concrete evidence for their practical application and supporting the ongoing paradigm shift towards sustainable practices in road construction.