Construction and Building Materials 342 (2022) 127951

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Construction and Building Materials

journal homepage: www.elsevier.com/locate/conbuildmat

Mechanical performance evaluation of crumb rubber enriched rejuvenator

modified RAP mixtures
Hassan Ziari *, Pooyan Ayar , Youssef Amjadian
School of Civil Engineering, Iran University of Science and Technology, Tehran, Iran

A R T I C L E I N F O A B S T R A C T

Keywords: The asphalt mixtures containing Reclaimed Asphalt Pavement (RAP) materials are commonly stiffer than the
Crumb rubber conventional mixtures, and a rejuvenating agent may be used to maintain their flexibility. However, the use of
Rejuvenator rejuvenators could decrease the rutting resistance. In this study, to overcome this issue, crumb rubber (CR) was
RAP
used as a modifier to rectify the effect of rejuvenators on rutting resistance in recycled mixtures. In this manner,
Cracking resistance
Moisture sensitivity
two types of waste oils (waste cooking and engine oils) were mixed with CR separately, and the final manu­
Rutting resistance factured materials were used as CR-modified rejuvenators. Then, the CR modified rejuvenators and pure re­
juvenators (i.e., waste cooking oil and engine oil) were added to the asphalt mixture containing 25, 50, and 75%
RAP materials. The cracking resistance at intermediate temperature, the rutting resistance, and the moisture
sensitivity of different samples was evaluated by performing the semi-circular bending, dynamic creep, and
moisture sensitivity tests. The results showed that CR-modified rejuvenators remarkably increase the rutting
resistance of rejuvenated mixtures without compromising the cracking resistance and moisture sensitivity.
Additionally, the statistical analysis indicated that the type of rejuvenators and RAP content are significant
variables for cracking resistance, rutting resistance, and moisture sensitivity.

1. Introduction
In recent decades rising prices of crude oil and environmental con­
cerns encouraged researchers to use reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP)
in road construction projects [1]. The use of RAP materials in the pro­
duction process of new asphalt mixture reduces the consumption of
natural resources (i.e., aggregates and bitumen) and energy; hence, the
cost of mixture production, emissions, and pavement debris are
decreased dramatically. Previous studies showed that replacing 100%
RAP with the virgin mixture decreases the total cost by 50% to 70%, and
CO2 emissions are reduced by about 35% [2-5].
Despite the economic and environmental interests, using RAP ma­
terials in asphalt mixtures also has some disadvantages. The aged
bitumen in RAP is stiffer than virgin bitumen; therefore, the mixtures
containing high RAP content are stiffer and more fragile [6-8]. Ac­
cording to prior studies, using more than 20% RAP can intensify the
potential of low-temperature cracking and premature fatigue in asphalt
mixtures. In fact, by increasing the RAP content, the cracking resistance
of mixtures decreases [1,5,9-11]. At the lower percent of RAP, the use of
softer bitumen can balance the stiffness of the mixture. While at higher
RAP content, the use of soft bitumen is not effective; therefore, re­
searchers have suggested the use of rejuvenators [3,12]. Normally, re­
juvenators are a group of additives employed to reduce the stiffness of
aged bitumen and RAP mixtures [12]. Based on previous research, re­
juvenators can improve fatigue and low temperature cracking resis­
tance. Hence, more RAP percentages can be used to produce asphalt
mixtures [13,14]. Notwithstanding the mentioned advantages, the use
of rejuvenators is unallowable in some areas because the rutting resis­
tance of RAP mixtures decreases by using these materials [15,16]. Sun
et al. showed that by adding 8% waste cooking oil (WCO) to aged
bitumen, the viscosity and softening point of bitumen decrease to more
than 50%. Also, incorporating WCO reduces the complex modulus and
enhances the phase angle [17]. Ali et al. assessed the influence of five
types of rejuvenators on the rheological properties of aged bitumen.
They reported that all rejuvenators caused a significant decrease in
rutting resistance [13]. Other studies have also confirmed this issue
[1,15,18]. Thus, using some additives can improve the rutting resistance
of rejuvenated RAP mixtures. Ziari et al. showed that the flow number
and rutting resistance of rejuvenated RAP mixtures increase by using
nanoclay modified bitumen [19].

* Corresponding author.
E-mail address: h.ziari@iust.ac.ir (H. Ziari).

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2022.127951
Received 16 February 2022; Received in revised form 20 May 2022; Accepted 23 May 2022
Available online 28 May 2022
0950-0618/© 2022 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
H. Ziari et al.
In the recent decade, numerous researchers have investigated the
influence of crumb rubber (CR) on bitumen and asphalt mixtures
properties. Wang et al. and Liang et al. showed that using CR modified
bitumen increased fatigue and low temperature cracking resistance
[20,21]. In another study, Li et al. conducted a laboratory and field
study to analyze the performance CR modified asphalt mixtures. They
reported that the rut depth of CR modified asphalt mixtures is lower than
control mixtures [22]. Tahami et al. evaluated the rutting resistance of
CR modified asphalt mixtures by accomplishing the wheel track test.
They illustrated that the mixtures containing 20% CR had the lowest rut
depth [23]. Others reported similar results, too [24,25]. Therefore,
using CR in rejuvenated RAP mixtures could decrease the potential of
rutting distress.
To produce CR modified bitumen, the virgin bitumen is heated be­
tween 180 and 190 ◦ C. Then CR is added to the heated bitumen and
stirred for 60 min [26]. The first stage of bitumen aging is short-term
aging which occurs during the mixing and compaction process at high
temperatures. Nevertheless, heating the bitumen during CR modified
bitumen production processes intensifies the short-term aging and
stiffness of bitumen [27,28]. Additionally, due to CR and virgin bitumen
incompatibility, separation could occur, and the storage stability of CR
modified bitumen can be affected [29]. Some researchers have sug­
gested using oils as a solvent material for CR to overcome these problems
[26,30,31]. In this method, the cross bond of CR is broken, the molecular
weight decreases, and thus the compatibility of CR and bitumen in­
creases [32-34]. Ma et al. showed that the high-temperature WCO could
penetrate the CR crosslinks through broking them, resulting in the for­
mation of fully swelled CR. Consequently, the storage stability of CR
modified bitumen increases [35,36]. In another study, Zhao and Dong
investigated the rheological properties of CR - WCO modified bitumen.
They showed that the CR – WCO modifier could improve the rutting
resistance of bitumen [37]. Recently, some researchers have studied CR
modified oils as a rejuvenator agent. Yi et al. investigated the effect of
crumb rubber modified WCO (MWCO) on the rheological properties of
aged bitumen. They showed that MWCO had the potential to be used as
an asphalt rejuvenator [38].
In the last decades, the use of RAP materials in asphalt mixture
production has attracted the attention of asphalt researchers in the
world. The asphalt mixtures containing RAP materials are stiffer and
more vulnerable to fatigue and low temperature cracking. To overcome
this problem, researchers have suggested the use of rejuvenating agents.
Rejuvenators increase the cracking resistance of RAP mixtures while
decreasing the rutting resistance. In this regard, the main scope of this
study is to provide a solution to improve the rutting resistance of reju­
venated RAP mixtures without hurting the cracking resistance. One way
to meet this need is to use different materials that cover each other’s
performance weaknesses and provide a synergistic performance effect.
To this end, the use of CR modified rejuvenator (CRMR) to recover aged
bitumen has been considered by some researchers. Nonetheless, the
effect of this substance on the properties of RAP mixtures has not been
studied in detail. Therefore, this study investigated the mechanical
properties of RAP mixtures containing CRMR. For this purpose, two
types of pure rejuvenators, including waste cooking oil (WCO) and waste
engine oil (WEO), were modified by CR. Then, the pure and CR modified
rejuvenators were added to RAP mixtures (asphalt mixtures containing
25%, 50%, and 75% RAP), and semi-circular bending (SCB), dynamic
creep (DC), and moisture sensitivity tests were performed. The main
objectives of this research are:
• Mechanical evaluation of the cracking resistance of different RAP
mixtures containing pure and CR modified rejuvenators at interme­
diate temperature
• Comparison of the performance of pure and CR modified re­
juvenators against permanent deformation of rejuvenated RAP
mixtures
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Construction and Building Materials 342 (2022) 127951
• Assessment of the moisture sensitivity of different rejuvenated RAP
mixtures
Fig. 1 shows the schematic experimental plan in this research.
2. Materials
2.1. Aggregates and RAP material
Limestone aggregates taken from mines in the east of Tehran were
used as virgin aggregates. The properties of aggregates are shown in
Table 1. The RAP materials were obtained from milled asphalt surfaces
of Babaee’s highway in Tehran. The amount of bitumen in the RAP
material was determined according to ASTM D2172. The bitumen con­
tent of the RAP materials is 4.3%. The aggregates used in the milled
asphalt mixture are limestone aggregates. The aggregates gradation for
final RAP mixtures was selected based on ASTM 3515 with 12.5 mm
nominal maximum aggregate size. Fig. 2 shows the 0.45 power curve
gradation of RAP materials and the final mix blend.
2.2. Bitumen
The 60/70 penetration grade bitumen was used as a virgin binder.
The properties of bitumen are shown in Table 2.
2.3. Rejuvenator
In this study, two categories of rejuvenators were used, pure reju­
venator and modified rejuvenator (MR). WCO and WEO are two kinds of
waste materials that were used as PR. CR was used as an agent to pro­
duce modified WEO (MWEO) and modified WCO (MWCO). For this
purpose, the WEO and WCO were heated until 180 ◦ C separately. Then,
25% CR (by oil weight) was added to the hot oils and stirred at 2000 rpm
for 60 min. According to previous research, the optimum dosage of re­
juvenators was determined based on the penetration grade test results.
In this way, the different dosages of rejuvenators were added to aged
bitumen, and the mentioned test was conducted until the penetration
grade of rejuvenated bitumen met the virgin bitumen [39,40]. The
viscosity and optimal dosage of rejuvenators are shown in Table 3. As
the optimal dosages seen in the table are added to RAP bitumen, the
penetration grade of aged bitumen met the penetration grade of virgin
bitumen.
3. Experimental procedures
3.1. Mix design
According to preceding studies, to produce the samples of asphalt
mixture containing high RAP percent, the rejuvenators were mixed with
RAP materials at 160 ◦ C [41-43]. Subsequently, the virgin aggregates
and bitumen were mixed with rejuvenated RAP materials. Thereafter,
the final mixture was cured at 140 ◦ C (compaction temperature) for 2 h
[4,19]. The Marshall method was used to determine the optimum
bitumen content (OBC) to reach 4% air void based on the ASTM D-1559.
The OBC for rejuvenated mixtures containing 25%, 50%, and 75% RAP
was 4.27%, 3.63%, and 2.75% respectively. Afterward, the SCB, mois­
ture sensitivity, and DC specimens were fabricated by Superpave Gy­
ratory Compactor (SGC). Also, specimens without rejuvenating agents
were prepared as control samples (CS).
3.2. SCB test
The SCB test cylindrical specimens with 150 mm diameter and 120
mm height were fabricated based on ASTM D8044. The specimens were
compacted by SGC to achieve an air void of 7%. Then, they were sliced
into two same circular test samples 57 mm thick. These samples were
H. Ziari et al. Construction and Building Materials 342 (2022) 127951

Fig. 1. The schematic experimental plan.

Table 1
Physical properties of the aggregates. Table 2
Bitumen properties.
Parameter Value Standard
Parameter Value Standard
Specific gravity (g/cm3) 2.55 ASTM C1252
Los Angeles abrasion value (%) 22 ASTM C131 Penetration at 25 ◦ C (0.1 mm) 63 ASTM D5
Sodium sulfate soundness (%) 2.1 ASTM C88 Softening point (◦ C) 52 ASTM D36
Sand equivalent (%) 66 AASHTOT176 Ductility at 25 ◦ C (cm) >100 cm ASTM D113
Flakiness (%) 8 BS 812 Density at 25 ◦ C (g/cm3) 1.01 ASTM D70
flash point (◦ C) 315 ASTM D92

Fig. 2. The 0.45 power curve gradations of RAP and the final mix blend.

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H. Ziari et al. Construction and Building Materials 342 (2022) 127951

Table 3 the fracture energy (FE) parameter. The FI parameter, which considers
The viscosity and optimum dosage of rejuvenators. the form of the post-peak part and normalizes the FE, can display the
Rejuvenator type Rejuvenator Optimal dosage of cracking resistance better than the FE parameter [50]. The FI can be
Viscosity at rejuvenator (%) calculated by Eq2.
135 ◦ C (mm2/s)
FE
waste cooking oil (WCO) 4.22 9.5 FI = ×α (2)
m
waste engine oil (WEO) 5.38 13.3
modified waste cooking oil 6.33 12.4
where, FE = fracture energy (J/m2); m = inflection point’s slope; and α
(MWCO)
modified waste engine oil 7.27 17.2 = scaling factor, equaled 0.01.
(MWEO)
3.2.3. Cracking resistance index
The Cracking resistance index (CRI) was suggested by Kaseer et al. to
sliced along its central axis into two similar semi-circular pieces. The
determine the brittleness of asphalt mixtures at moderate temperatures
tests were performed under mode I on sliced semi-circular samples with
and a loading rate of 50 mm/min. When the load–displacement curve is
three notch lengths (25, 32, and 38 mm) and 3 mm width at interme­
continuous, the FI value could be calculated, but in some brittle cases,
diate temperature (25 ◦ C). Depending on the loading conditions, a crack
the samples could fail at the peak load, and normal post-peak
in the asphalt pavement experience three deformation modes: (1)
displacement is not available. Therefore, the FI value could not be
opening mode, (2) in-plane shear mode, and (3) out-of-plane shear mode
determined. The CRI parameter can solve this problem [51]. This
[44]. The opening mode occurs when the crack is at the center of the
parameter is defined as the fracture energy (FE) divided by the
vehicle tire. When the crack is at the edge of the vehicle tire, in-plane
maximum load (Pmax) (Eq.3).
shear mode occurs, and out-of-plane shear mode appears by moving
away from the crack’s edge. The SCB test under mode I simulates the CRI =
FE
(3)
opening mode of crack [44-46]. Fig. 3 displays the SCB specimen test Pmax
and the location of the supports under mode I. The asphalt mixtures with higher CRI values are more resistant to
cracking. Ergo, for two mixtures with the same FE values, the mixture
3.2.1. Critical strain energy release rate with higher Pmax is more fragile [50].
The critical strain energy release rate (JC) can be determined by
performing the SCB test at multiple notch depths (at least three notch 3.3. DC test
depths) and employing a loading rate of 0.5 mm/min via Eq1.
JC is a criterion parameter to compare the fracture-resistant of Rutting is one of the main distresses in rejuvenated RAP mixtures at
asphalt mixtures and correlated very well with fatigue cracking [47]. high temperatures [19]. The DC test is a practical test to determine the
The minimum recommended JC value to ensure satisfactory fracture permanent strain and estimate the rutting resistance of asphalt mixtures.
resistance of asphalt mixtures is 0.65 kJ/m2 [48]. A dynamic load is applied to a cylindrical sample in this test, and the
− 1 dU resulting deformation is measured. Based on Australian Standard
Jc = ( ) (1) Method AS 2891.12.1 [52], for each type of rejuvenated RAP mixtures,
b da
three specimens were subjected to a compressive stress of 450 kPa with a
where b = the thickness of the sample (m); U = the area under the frequency of 0.5 Hz at 50 ◦ C. The output of the DC test is a curve with
load–displacement curves up to the highest load measured (kJ); a = three stages, as shown in Fig. 4. Based on this figure, the main de­
notch depth (m); and dU/da = change of strain energy with notch depth formations occur in the primary and tertiary stages. The deformation in
(kJ/m). the primary stage is due to volume changes in the sample, but in the
tertiary stage, the sample’s failure is the reason for the main deformation
3.2.2. Flexibility index [53]. The start of the tertiary stage in which plastic deformation occurs
The Flexibility index (FI) is another parameter to compare the is an index of rutting resistance and is named Flow Number (FN).
cracking resistance of various asphalt mixtures at intermediate tem­
peratures and a loading rate of 50 mm/min [49]. Various mixtures may
have a post-peak softening sharp slope, but this issue is not considered in

Fig. 3. The SCB specimen test and the location of the supports under mode I.

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H. Ziari et al. Construction and Building Materials 342 (2022) 127951

Fig. 4. The output curve of DCT.

3.4. Moisture sensitivity test
The TSR test is commonly used to assess the moisture sensitivity of
asphalt mixtures. Based on AASHTO T283 procedure, six specimens for
each type of mixtures were compacted to reach the air void 7 ± 0.5%
and divided into two groups. A vacuum chamber saturated the first
group to achieve a degree of saturation between 70 and 80%. The
saturated specimens were kept at − 18 ◦ C for 16 h and then were placed
in a water bath at 60 ◦ C for 24 h. After that, the samples were placed in a
water bath at 25 ◦ C for 2 h. Finally, the Indirect Tensile Strength (ITS)
test was conducted on wet (ITSwet ) and dry (ITSdry ) samples. The ITS and
TSR values were calculated in Eq 3 and 4.
2P
ITS = × 100 (3)
πtD
where P is the maximum load (N), t, and D are the thickness and
diameter of the sample (mm), respectively. Mixtures with TSR values
higher than 80% are resistant to moisture [54,55].
4. Results and discussion
4.1. SCB test
The SCB tests were conducted under mode I on specimens with three
notch lengths at 25 ◦ C to determine the JC value. Moreover, for each
notch length, three specimens were tested. The result of the JC value is
shown in Fig. 5. Furthermore, the load–displacement curves and the FI
and CRI values for samples with 25 mm notch lengths are illustrated in
Figs. 6-8.

TSR =
ITSwet
× 100 (4) 4.1.1. Critical strain energy release rate
ITSdry Based on Fig. 5, regardless of the type of rejuvenators, the JC value

Fig. 5. The results of JC value.

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H. Ziari et al.
Fig. 6. Load-displacement curves of samples with 25 mm notch length.
Fig. 7. The FI value of samples.
decreases by increasing the RAP content. Higher JC values indicate
greater fracture-resistant [48]. Therefore, the mixtures with a higher
percentage of RAP are more vulnerable to crack propagation. The JC
value of the control mixture with 25% RAP is more than three times the
minimum recommended value (0.65 kJ/m2), while the JC value for the
control mixture with 50% and 75% RAP decreases significantly, which is
less than 0.65 kJ/m2. This shows that the high content RAP mixtures
without rejuvenator agents are weak against cracking. For all RAP
percentages, the JC value of mixtures increases by adding the re­
juvenators. For the mixtures contaning 25% RAP, the rejuvenators can
raise the JC value by 40% compared to the control sample. The incre­
ment of JC value for mixtures containg 50% and 75% RAP is more than
200%.
Based on Fig. 6, there is not much difference between the JC values of
rejuvenated mixtures containing the same percentage of RAP. The JC
value of mixtures rejuvenated by WEO and WCO is about 5 to 10%
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Construction and Building Materials 342 (2022) 127951
greater than MWEO and MWCO. Based on the load–displacement curves
(Fig. 6), at the same RAP content, the peak load and the post-peak slope
of samples rejuvenated by MWEO and MWCO are slightly higher due to
adding the CR to the rejuvenators. The use of CR in pure rejuvenators
could provide elasticity for the rejuvenators and rejuvenated mixtures.
Therefore, the rejuvenated RAP by CRM rejuvenators is a little stiffer
than pure rejuvenators [38]. According to Fig. 6, for control samples, the
initial slope and post-peak slope of load–displacement curves increase
by increasing the RAP percentage. Therefore, the area under the
load–displacement curves and fracture energy decreases. For all RAP
contents, by adding the rejuvenators, the initial slope and the post-peak
slope decrease, as well as the peak load increase. Consequently, the
fracture energy of rejuvenated mixtures increases.
4.1.2. Flexibility index
Based on previous research, in addition to fracture energy, the peak
H. Ziari et al. Construction and Building Materials 342 (2022) 127951

Fig. 8. The CRI value of samples.

load and the post-peak slope can influence the cracking resistance and
brittleness of asphalt mixtures at intermediate temperatures [49,51]. FI
value is a parameter displaying the flexibility of the asphalt mixture. The
mixtures with higher FI values are more resistant to cracking. According
to Eq.3, the FI value decreases by increasing the “m” coefficient; hence,
the mixtures with higher post-peak slope are weaker against cracking.
Fig. 7 shows the FI value results of samples with 25 mm notch length.
Based on Fig. 7, by increasing the percentage of RAP, the FI value de­
creases. The difference in FI value between rejuvenated samples and
control sample containing 25% RAP is around 45%. For samples con­
taining 50% and 75% RAP, this difference is about 230% and 290%,
respectively. Additionally, for all RAP percentages, the FI values of
rejuvenated mixtures are close.
4.1.3. Cracking resistance index
Another parameter that can be extracted from the SCB test result is
CRI. According to Eq.3, the CRI value is affected by the fracture energy
and peak load. For the samples with the same fracture energy, the
flexible mixture has a lower peak load. Fig. 8 presents the CRI value of
samples with 25 mm notch length. Based on Fig. 8 for mixtures con­
taining 25% RAP, the CRI value of rejuvenated samples and control
sample are close, while this difference is salient for higher RAP contents.
Furthermore, for rejuvenated samples with the same RAP percentage,
the difference between CRI values are negligible. This means that the
pure and CR modified rejuvenators have the same effect on rejuvenating
the RAP mixtures.

Fig. 9. The cumulative strain versus cycle curve.

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H. Ziari et al.
4.2. DC test
DC test was performed for the control mixtures and rejuvenated
samples with three replications. The cumulative strain versus cycle
curve of samples is shown in Fig. 9. The FN value for each mixture is
presented in Fig. 10. Based on the results, the FN value increases by
increasing the percentage of RAP in control mixtures. The control
sample with 75% RAP shows the highest FN value. By adding the re­
juvenators to the RAP mixtures, the FN value decreases compared to the
control sample. This subject has been reported in previous studies
[19,56]. The difference between the FN value for the control sample and
rejuvenated samples in the mixture containing 25% RAP is insignificant.
This difference increases significantly by increasing the RAP content.
Moreover, the FN value decreases by increasing the RAP percentage and
rejuvenators content. For all percentages of RAP, the rejuvenated sam­
ples with CR modified rejuvenators have a higher FN value. According to
Fig. 10, the FN value of samples containing MWEO and MWCO is more
than WEO and WCO by around 40–70%. Also, for all percentages of
RAP, the FN value of samples rejuvenated by MWEO is more than
MWCO by around 3–9%.
According to previous study, the diffusion of rejuvenators to aged
bitumen is a time-consuming process [4]. In the first phase, the re­
juvenators create a shallow low viscosity layer surrounding the aggre­
gates covered with aged bitumen. Afterward, the rejuvenators gradually
penetrate the aged bitumen and soften the bitumen. Therefore, by
adding the rejuvenators to the mixtures, a lubricating layer is formed
which allows the aggregates to slip on each other. The CR could provide
elasticity to the rejuvenators and increase the bonding between the
rejuvenated RAP and the new asphalt mixture [38]. Nevertheless, the
rutting resistance of samples with CR modified rejuvenators is more than
pure rejuvenators.
To observe the influence of rejuvenators on cracking and rutting
resistance simultaneously, three X-Y plotting of JC, FI, CRI, and FN are
presented in Fig. 11. The vertical component of these diagrams is FN,
and the horizontal components are JC, FI, and CRI. In this figure, the
samples located upper right corner have the best performance against
cracking and rutting distresses. Based on Fig. 11, it could be found that:
• In control samples, by increasing RAP content from 25% to 75%, the
FN value increases by around 30%, while cracking resistance pa­
rameters (Jc, FI, and CRI) decrease by around 70–80%. Hence, the
Fig. 10. The FN value of samples.
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Construction and Building Materials 342 (2022) 127951
location of samples moves to the upper left. This means that cracking
resistance decreases while rutting resistance increases. As the stiff­
ness of RAP materials is too high, the stiffness of the asphalt mixture
increases by increasing RAP content. Consequently, rutting resis­
tance increases, and cracking resistance decreases [6-8].
• In the mixture containing 25% RAP, by using the rejuvenator agents,
the FN value decreases by around 10–35%, while cracking resistance
parameters increase by around 35%. Also, reducing the FN value and
increasing cracking resistance parameters for mixtures with higher
RAP content is more significant. This issue has also been reported by
other researchers [57]. Therefore, by adding the rejuvenators into
RAP mixtures, the location of samples moves to the bottom right.
This means that cracking resistance increases while rutting resis­
tance decreases.
• For all the rejuvenated samples, the FN value of the samples con­
taining MWEO and MWCO is more than WEO and WCO by around
40–70%. At the same time, the cracking resistance parameters are
almost equal. Therefore, the locations of the samples containing
MWEO and MWCO on the vertical axis are upper than WEO and
WCO, while on the horizontal axis are close to each other. This means
that the performance of CR modified rejuvenators is better than pure
rejuvenators against rutting, while their cracking resistance is almost
similar.
4.3. Moisture sensitivity test
Fig. 12 depicts the result of the tensile strength ratio test. As
observed, by increasing the percentage of the RAP from 25% to 75%, the
dry and wet ITS values increased by around 13% and 30%, respectively.
The TSR value for the control sample with 25% RAP is about 83%, and
by increasing the RAP content to 75%, this value grows to 95%.
Consequently, the moisture susceptibility reduces by increasing the RAP
content. This issue can be due to the strong bonding between RAP ag­
gregates and aged bitumen. In other words, the aggregates in RAP ma­
terials are surrounded by high stiffness aged bitumen, and the
probability of water penetration into the surface of aggregates de­
creases. Accordingly, the mixtures with a high percentage of RAP have
better moisture resistance. Other researchers have confirmed this issue,
too [3,18,58].
Regardless of the RAP content, the rejuvenated samples have a lower
TSR value than the control samples by around 1–6%. This subject is
H. Ziari et al. Construction and Building Materials 342 (2022) 127951

Fig. 11. The cracking resistance versus rutting resistance diagram.

Fig. 12. The result of Moisture sensitivity test.

because the rejuvenators penetrate the aged bitumen, and by softening Nevertheless, the TSR value for all rejuvenated samples is more than
that, the bonding between the aggregates and bitumen decreases 80%. Therefore, there is no concern about moisture damage when using
slightly. This issue has been reported by other researchers [55,58]. the CR modified rejuvenators.

Table 4
ANOVA analysis of Jc, FI, CRI, FN, and TSR.
Source Jc FI CRI

F Sig. F critical F Sig. F critical F Sig. F critical

Corrected Model 39.81 0.000 1.93 122.13 0.000 1.93 41.05 0.000 1.93
Intercept 4030.72 0.000 4.07 8853.31 0.000 4.07 6453.89 0.000 4.07
Rejuvenator 56.51 0.000 2.59 126.44 0.000 2.59 30.72 0.000 2.59
RAP 155.06 0.000 3.21 589.36 0.000 3.21 196.37 0.000 3.21
Rejuvenator * RAP 2.65 0.025 2.16 3.17 0.010 2.16 7.38 0.000 2.16

Source FN TSR

F Sig. F critical F Sig. F critical

Corrected Model 129.42 0.000 1.93 115.08 0.000 1.93

Intercept 13877.4 0.000 4.07 55,093 0.000 4.07
Rejuvenator 384.12 0.000 2.59 39.71 0.000 2.59
RAP 34.02 0.000 3.21 716.30 0.000 3.21
Rejuvenator * RAP 25.91 0.000 2.16 2.466 0.035 2.16

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H. Ziari et al.
4.4. Statistical analysis
In this section, the results of SCB, DC, and moisture sensitivity tests
were statistically analyzed by Univariate ANOVA. This analysis explores
whether the rejuvenator type and the RAP content have a significant
influence or not. In this method, the variables with a p-value less than
0.05 are significant [59,60]. The summary of ANOVA results for Jc, FI,
CRI, FN, and TSR values are reported in Table 4. Based on the ANOVA
analysis results, the p-value for the type of rejuvenators and RAP content
is less than 0.05. This means that the type of rejuvenators and RAP
content affect the cracking resistance (Jc, FI, and CRI), rutting resistance
(FN), and moisture sensitivity (TSR) significantly.
5. Conclusions
This study investigated the potential of using crumb rubber as a
rejuvenating modifier to increase the rutting resistance of high content
RAP mixtures. To this end, WEO, WCO, MWEO, and MWCO were used as
rejuvenating agents. Different samples containing 25%, 50%, and 75%
RAP were fabricated, and the SCB test under mode I, DC test, and
moisture sensitivity tests were conducted. Based on the results of this
study, it can be concluded that:
• CR modified rejuvenators and pure rejuvenators have the same effect
on increasing the cracking resistance of RAP mixtures. The JC, FI, and
CRI values of rejuvenated samples containing different RAP content
for MWEO, MWCO, WEO, and WCO are almost similar.
• In control samples, the FN value increases by increasing the RAP
content. In addition, for all RAP percentages, the FN value of reju­
venated samples is lower than control samples. Among the rejuve­
nated samples, the samples rejuvenated by MWEO and MWCO show
higher FN values.
• The TSR value increases by increasing the RAP content for all RAP
percentages. Furthermore, for mixtures with the same RAP percent,
TSR values of control and rejuvenated samples are close together.
• In rejuvenated samples, by modifying the pure rejuvenators with CR,
not only the cracking and moisture damage resistance has not
negatively been affected, but also the rutting resistance increased
significantly. Consequently, the CR could be used as a modifier agent
in rejuvenators.
• Statistical analysis indicated that the type of rejuvenators and RAP
content are significant variables for cracking resistance, rutting
resistance, and moisture sensitivity.
This research incorporates RAP, CR, and waste oils to fabricate sus­
tainable asphalt mixtures. Using these waste materials to produce
asphalt mixtures not only diminishes the waste material accumulations
and other environmental concerns but also the raw materials could be
saved for future generations. In this regard, comprehensive studies
should be conducted to anaylze the effects of CR modified rejuvenators
on rheological properties of RAP bitumen and RAP mastic before and
after re-aging. Furthermore, evaluating the various types of rejuvenators
modified by the different percentages of crumb rubber is another issue
that should be considered in future studies.
CRediT authorship contribution statement
Hassan Ziari: Supervision, Project administration. Pooyan Ayar:
Conceptualization, Writing – review & editing. Youssef Amjadian:
Investigation, Formal analysis, Validation, Conceptualization,
Methodology.
Declaration of Competing Interest
The authors declare that they have no known competing financial
interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence
10
Construction and Building Materials 342 (2022) 127951
the work reported in this paper.
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