Reclaiming, Reusing, and Recycling Asphalt Pavement

Asphalt pavement can be recycled for roadway use time and again, offering the same durability as pavements constructed with 100% virgin materials while accomplishing the following:

Reduce construction costs
Conserve aggregate and binders
Conserve energy
Reduce waste

Asphalt Recycling

Forms of asphalt recycling date back to 1915, becoming increasingly popular in the 1970s with the development of the modern milling machine. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Federal Highway Administration estimate that we recycle more than 80 percent of the 90 million tons of asphalt pavement reclaimed each year in the US.

TxDOT promotes using RAP in many pavement management strategies. For example, the hot mix asphalt specification encourages the use of fractionated RAP while discouraging the use of unfractionated RAP. Fractionated RAP is crushed and sized reclaimed asphalt pavement that has been separated into its constituent aggregate sizes.

Uses

TxDOT uses Reclaimed Asphalt Pavement (RAP) in such construction and maintenance applications as the following:

Hot recycling in hot mix asphalt (HMA)
Shoulder surfacing and widening
Various maintenance uses
Road base aggregate
Full-depth reclamation
Hot in-place recycling
Cold in-place recycling

You can estimate the potential savings of blending RAP into asphalt pavement using this worksheet. Note: The worksheet is for informational purposes only. Actual savings will vary based on material costs.

Research and Other Information

Title	Format
Center for Transportation Research Library
Design, Constructability Review and Performance of Dual Base Stabilizer Applications
Evaluation and the Use of Waste and Reclaimed Materials in Roadbase Construction
Effect of RAP on Binder Properties Using the Superpave System
Guideline for Pulverization of Stabilized Bases
Performance of Full Depth Recycling Projects in Texas
Potential Use of Crushed Concrete and RAP as Backfill for MSE Walls
Production Variability Analysis of Hot-Mixed Asphalt Concrete Containing RAP
RAP Stockpile Management and Processing in Texas: State of the Practice and Proposed Guidelines
Tips for Success with RAP
Use of Cold-Recycle RAP Base, Limestone County, Texas
Use of Recycled Asphalt Pavement in Texas

Specifications

Title	Format
Flexible Base
Special Provisions
SP 340-003 Dense-Graded Hot-Mix Asphalt (Method)
SP 341-024 Dense-Graded Hot-Mix Asphalt (QC/QA)
Special Specifications for Emulsion Treatment (Road Mixed)
SS 3178 Hot In-Place Recycling of Asphalt Concrete Surfaces (HIR)
TxDOT 926-77-18 Recycling Of Asphalt Millings By The Cold Central Plant Process

More Information