Enabling expanded use of recycled materials in asphalt pavement
The goal of this project is to improve the cost-effectiveness of “green” asphalt binders suitable for MNDOT AC pavements. To this end, the objectives include: 1) Developing a high-performance, environmentally-friendly asphalt binder that incorporates relatively high amounts of crumb rubber (using the “wet” process) and recycled binder (aged binders from reclaimed asphalt pavement in the State of Minnesota). 2) Enhancing ...more »
The goal of this project is to improve the cost-effectiveness of “green” asphalt binders suitable for MNDOT AC pavements. To this end, the objectives include: 1) Developing a high-performance, environmentally-friendly asphalt binder that incorporates relatively high amounts of crumb rubber (using the “wet” process) and recycled binder (aged binders from reclaimed asphalt pavement in the State of Minnesota). 2) Enhancing the “green” asphalt binders by the addition of relatively small amounts of nano-sized materials. The cost–effectiveness of the asphalt binder design will be optimized through the use of statistical experimental design and neural network modeling, considering the multiple performance goals of the binder.
We aim to demonstrate the performance enhancement of nanomaterial-doped “green” asphalt. We will also obtain an improved understanding of how various mix design parameters affect the asphalt binder or mixture performance and their inter-relations and what are the optimal type and dosage of crumb rubber, RAP, nanomaterials, etc. in terms of a specific performance attribute (e.g., resistance to moisture damage) for this novel type of asphalt binder.
To facilitate the technology transition into practice and to realize the substantial economic and environmental benefits inherent in this technology, we will work closely with MNDOT end users and other stakeholders to produce findings that can be readily implemented, utilized, or applied.
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