Description
With the arrival of the Asphalt Rubber technology in Brazil many trial test sections of roads with such surfacing have been built throughout various regions of the Country. The new Brazilian law on the environment determines that 50% of the bulk production of the tire manufacturing industry must be disposed of properly according to the law from 2003 on. In 2004, 100% of the bulk national production of automotive tires will have to be ecologically destined. This means that, 400,000 tons of tires per year have to be correctly disposed. By 2005 the percentage of the bulk national production of pneumatic tires ecologically disposed shall rise to 125%, which means that beyond the actual annual production, manufacturers must start reducing the accumulated old tires’ stock.
The use of asphalt rubber in Brazil contributes to the adoption of a more ecologically correct destination for used tires. Beyond its decisive environmental contribution the technique also promotes the quality of Brazilian asphalt mixes by enhancing positive characteristics of our bitumen.
Two pioneer road rehabilitation trial test sections were built in São Paulo with the application of gap graded bituminous mixes on roads located on the road network of INTERVIAS Concessionary. This paper describes the studies that were performed prior to the implementation of the test sections as well as the monitoring of the pavement behavior after the pavement was exposed to traffic. From this experience an extension of 250 Km of roads under the responsibility of INTERVIAS Concessionary due for rehabilitation projects were reexamined in order to include the solution of rubber asphalt added mixes.
