Field Evaluation of HMA Pavements with Recycled Base Layers

This paper presented field evaluation of existing HMA pavements constructed on RAP base layers by performing visual distress surveys and determining the corresponding PCI values and measuring the pavement surface profile and determining the corresponding IRI values. Observed distresses included cracks (fatigue, longitudinal, transverse, block, and edge), rutting, and flushing. The study showed that fatigue/alligator cracks are commonly observed in the investigated HMA pavement with RAP bases. The calculated PCI values were variable with the majority fall in the range of “fair” classification category. The evaluation of the investigated pavements’ profiles shows what can be considered as a “smooth” ride quality with an average IRI of 96 inch/mile. The performance of the HMA pavements with RAP base layers is considered satisfactory as compared with HMA pavements constructed with crushed aggregates base course layers as reported in the literature.