Promoting the use of Rubberised Asphalt Mixtures in Italy by introducing performance related characterisation

Description

Promoting the use of Rubberised Asphalt Mixtures in Italy by introducing performance related characterisation

G. Giancontieri, C. Mignini, S. Milazzo, G. Buttitta, D. Fornai, D. Lo Presti

ABSTRACT. The pavement industry has developed rapidly all over the world during the last few decades and consequentially, increased traffic load, higher traffic volume, and insufficient maintenance led to many severe distresses (e.g., rutting and cracking) of road surfaces. Rubberised asphalt mixtures have been identified worldwide as a potential solution to enhance the pavement properties and meet simultaneously sustainable needs. Although this technology has been successfully tested in Italy, it still struggles to be implemented by the Italian road authorities. This work wants to improve the current Italian procedure by introducing a Performance-Related Characterisation (PRC) with the ultimate goal of promoting rubberised asphalt mixtures in place of conventional ones in Italy. The experimental plan includes mixtures produced by using different rubberised technologies (dry and hybrid) characterised in terms of cracking and rutting resistance. As a result, a procedure based on the PRC was developed, proving that rubberised asphalt mixtures not only comply with Italian requirements but also provide enhanced performance when compared to conventional asphalt mixtures.

KEYWORDS: rubberised asphalt mixture, rubber, dry process, wet process, hybrid process, performance related characterisation.