Use of Recycled Concrete Aggregate as a Substitute of a Natural Aggregate by Mass and Volume within an Asphalt Concrete Base

Abstract

Asphalt concrete bases (ACB) can be used as a base course or binder course in asphalt pavements. Generally, ACB aggregates are sourced from a natural origin, and these can be substituted by other construction waste material such as recycled concrete aggregate (RCA). The foregoing study substituted the coarse fraction and the entire natural aggregate (NA) of ACB with RCA. The influence of carrying out this substitution by mass or volume was evaluated within the mix design. For such purposes, the Marshall method was used. A better behavior was observed in mixes during the Marshall test when substitution is carried out by volume. In terms of mix design, ACB can use RCA as a substitute for its coarse fraction as well as the entire NA when dealing with roadways with low traffic volumes, increasing in 0.5% and 1.0% the asphalt content with relation to the control mix OAC (mix with 100% of NA as aggregate). By volume, RCA can be used in roadways with low or medium traffic volumes by increasing in 0.3% the asphalt content in relation to the control mix OAC when the coarse fraction is replaced, and in 0.6% when the entire NA is replaced.