Construction and Building Materials 157 (2017) 1145–1153

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Construction and Building Materials

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Comparison of moisture and fracture damage resistance of hot and warm

asphalt mixes containing reclaimed pavement materials
Dharamveer Singh a,⇑, Srinivas F. Chitragar b, Prabin Kumar Ashish a
a
Department of Civil Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, Mumbai, India
b
Department of Civil Engineering, Basaveshwar Engineering College (Autonomous) Bagalkot, Karnataka 587102, India

h i g h l i g h t s

RAP content above 30% may deteriorate moisture resistivity potential of HMA mixes.

Addition of RAP to HMA is more effective compared to addition of RAP to WMA mixes.

RAP addition found to be increasing fracture resistant of mix based on SCB test.

Fracture resistance of HMA mixes found to be higher than WMA mix based on Jc value.

a r t i c l e i n f o a b s t r a c t

Article history: The present study evaluates moisture and fracture resistance performance of Hot Mix Asphalt (HMA) and
Received 22 April 2017 Warm Mix Asphalt (WMA) containing different percentages of Reclaimed Asphalt Pavement (RAP) mate-
Received in revised form 16 August 2017 rials. The HMA and WMA mixes with different percentages of RAP (i.e., 0%, 10%, 20%, 30% and 40%) were
Accepted 26 September 2017
designed using Marshall mix design. The warm mixes were prepared by adding 2% wax. Overall, 10 mixes
(five HMA-RAP mixes, and five WMA-RAP mixes) were prepared in the laboratory. The moisture damage
potential of different mixes was determined using Tensile Strength Ratio (TSR) test. Furthermore, fracture
Keywords:
resistance of HMA-RAP and WMA-RAP mixes were evaluated using a Semi Circular Bending (SCB) test
Recycled asphalt pavement
Moisture damage
based on fracture mechanics principles. The analyses of results showed that addition of RAP increased
Fracture resistance TSR value of the mix, indicating that RAP may help in enhancing moisture damage potential of a mix.
Warm mix additives The TSR value of HMA-RAP mixes was found to be higher compared to WMA-RAP mixes for all RAP per-
Tensile strength ratio centages, showing that WMA mixes are more prone to moisture damage compared to HMA mixes. The
Hot mix asphalt fracture resistance was found to be increasing with increase in RAP content in this research work.
Indirect tensile strength However, it is to be noted that improvement in fracture property with increase in RAP content may
Strain energy not be theoretically correct due to increase in stiffness characteristics. Such trend in the present research
work may be attributed to absence of relaxation time in SCB testing protocol, unaccountability of post
peak behaviour in the present research work and variability in material properties. Therefore, further
investigation is needed in this direction to develop more understanding for such change before making
further recommendation. Furthermore, the fracture resistance of HMA-RAP mixes was found to be better
compared to WMA-RAP mixes. Overall moisture and fracture resistance performance of HMA-RAP mixes
were observed to be better compared to WMA-RAP mixes. Moreover, Literature showed that asphaltic
mixture containing RAP and WMA additive is highly influenced by amount of RAP and WMA added to
HMA, type of WMA additive, source and nature of collected RAP etc. Therefore considering finding of cur-
rent research work and reported literature in this area, inclusion of RAP in WMA mixes should be eval-
uated carefully before making further recommendation.
Ó 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

1. Introduction

Production of asphalt mixes with Reclaimed Asphalt Pavement

⇑ Corresponding author.
E-mail addresses: dvsingh@civil.iitb.ac.in (D. Singh), fc.srinivas@gmail.com
(S.F. Chitragar), prabinashish@gmail.com (P.K. Ashish).
(RAP) materials has been gaining worldwide popularity. Utilization
of RAP can reduce cost of materials (aggregates and asphalt), con-
serve aggregates and asphalt, and can help to solve problem of

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2017.09.176
0950-0618/Ó 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
1146 D. Singh et al. / Construction and Building Materials 157 (2017) 1145–1153

solid waste disposal. It is being reported that utilization of RAP can Table 1
be increased when it is added with Warm Mix Additives (WMA). Test results of VG30 asphalt binder.

For example, considering research work on moisture damage resis- Test Test result Limiting value (IS 73-2013)
tivity potential, integration of RAP with WMA additive showed Penetration at 25 °C, 100 gm, 5 s 68 60–70
improved moisture damage resistivity potential [1–3]. Likewise Softening point, °C 46 45–55
considering rutting performance, addition of WMA to RAP-HMA Ductility at 27 °C, cm 90 Min 70
mixture showed improved rutting performance [2,4–6]. The Absolute viscosity at 60 °C, Poise 2400 2400–3600
Kinematic viscosity at 135 °C, Cst 460 Min 300
WMA additives helps to reduce mixing and compaction tempera-
ture, and can allow maximum use of RAP [7–9]. However, many
studies has also showed that a lower production temperature
(at 60 °C) and kinematic viscosity (at 135 °C) values of VG30 binder were measured
may result into moist aggregates and low aging of binder, which to be 68, 46 °C, 90 cm, 2400 Poise, and 460 Cst, respectively (Table 1). Overall, the
may result in moisture damage to the mix [10–12]. Similarly, rut- collected asphalt binder sample satisfied the quality requirement as per IS: 73-
ting performance of WMA-RAP mixture is also a concern as it 2013.
showed higher rut depth compared to HMA [13].
Many researchers have reported that addition of RAP results 2.2. WMA additive
into rut resistant asphaltic mixture [6,14–16]. However, on the
Fischer-Tropsch (FT) wax based WMA additive was collected in this study. FT
other hand, aged binder in RAP may produce stiffer mixes, result-
wax is a long chain aliphatic hydrocarbon compound, having crystalline structure
ing in lower fatigue life and more brittle mixes. Nonetheless, stud- at low temperature and has melting point between 70 °C and 120 °C. Typically,
ies conducted over the years in different parts of the world showed amount of wax additive can be at the rate of 1.5–2% by weight of asphalt
that performance of asphalt mixes containing RAP can be equal and [7,21,22]. In the present study, 2% FT-wax by weight of binder was added to
better than the performance of virgin asphalt mixes [6,14–17]. VG30 binder.

Moreover, considering the utilization of WMA with RAP, major

focus has been given to moisture damage and rutting performance 2.3. RAP material
[1–6]. However, limited studies have been conducted on evalua-
The RAP material was collected from Mulund- Airoli link road between Eastern
tion of fatigue and fracture performances of RAP mixes containing Expressway and Thane-Belapur, Mumbai. This road needed resurfacing due to pot-
WMA additives. holes and other distresses, and hence a top 40 mm of the pavement was removed by
The fatigue performance of asphalt mixes is measured in labo- milling after four year of service life. The RAP material was characterized by deter-
ratory by conducting four-point beam bending test. This test needs mining asphalt content, aggregate gradation and quality of aggregates. The average
asphalt content of RAP was found to be 5.2%. The aggregates from RAP were
a sophisticated instrument and skilled manpower. Further, this test extracted using centrifuge extraction method. To assess quality of RAP aggregates,
is time consuming, tedious, and have high variability in the results. various laboratory tests namely: crushing, impact, shape, specific gravity, water
Recently, Semi-Circular Bending (SCB) test have been used by absorption, and gradation were carried out. The crushing, impact, and Los Angeles
many researchers to evaluate fracture resistance of asphalt mixes abrasion value of RAP aggregates were found to be 20.2%, 9.2%, and 15.2%, respec-
tively (Table 2), which was within the recommended limit (i.e., less than 30%) as per
[18–20]. Researchers reported that SCB test can be a good predictor
guidelines of Ministry of Road Transportation and Highway (MoRTH, 2013). The
of cracking performance of asphalt mixes [18–20]. The SCB is a fast, water absorption of RAP aggregates was found to be 2.04% which is close to the
simple, reliable, and repeatable test and does not require a compli- acceptable range (maximum 2%). The combined F&E value of RAP aggregate was
cated set up. It was reported that critical energy release rate (J- measured to be 4.02% (Table 2). Overall, aggregates extracted from RAP were of a
integral or Jc) obtained from this test can be used as an indicator good quality. The gradation of RAP aggregates in presented in Table 3. The nominal
maximum aggregate size of RAP aggregates was 9.5 mm. The RAP aggregates had
of fracture resistance of a mix. A higher Jc value indicates a fracture approximately 4.3% and 67.8% passing from 0.075 mm and 4.75 mm sieves, thus,
resistant mix. Jc represents the amount of strain energy required it can be classified as fine RAP.
for generating unit fractured surface area asphaltic mixture. There-
fore, a higher J-integral value is an indication of tougher material to
resist cracking and therefore crack propagation. Accordingly, a Table 2
Physical properties of virgin and RAP aggregates.
higher J-integral value is desirable from fracture properties point
of view. Additionally, it is also to note that relaxation capability Test Parameter Virgin RAP Limit as per
of asphaltic mixtures are not considered in SCB test due to mono- aggregates aggregates MoRTH:2013
tonic loading condition which also dictates the degree the fracture Crushing value (%) 16.2 20.2 30
resistance up to an extent. So far, limited studies have been con- Impact value (%) 8.9 9.2 30
Combined F&E (%) 12.6 4.02 35
ducted to assess fracture resistance of HMA and WMA mixes in
Los angeles abrasion (%) 12.9 15.2 30
the laboratory using SCB test, therefore, data generated in the pre- Specific gravity 2.65 2.68 –
sent study provides a good information to researchers and agencies Water absorption (%) 2.59 2.04 2
to adopt an easy and simple method for quality control and assur-
ance of asphalt mixes containing RAP.
Therefore, the aim of the present study was to evaluate mois-
ture damage, and fracture resistance performances of asphalt Table 3
Aggregate gradation of reclaimed pavement
mixes containing RAP with and without a wax based WMA addi-
material.
tive. The mixes with four percentage of RAP: 10, 20, 30, and 40%
were designed in the laboratory. The moisture damage potential Sieve size (mm) Passing (%)
was evaluated using Tensile Strength Ratio (TSR) approach, while 19 100
SCB test was utilized to measure fracture resistance of a mix. 13.2 97.6
9.5 93.0
4.75 67.8
2. Materials 2.36 56.0
1.18 39.8
2.1. Asphalt binder 0.6 27.8
0.3 20.1
The asphalt binder of viscosity grade (VG30) was collected from Hindustan 0.15 12.8
Colas Limited, Mumbai. The VG30 binder is generally used for construction of flex- 0.075 4.3
ible pavements in India. The penetration, softening and ductility, absolute viscosity
 D. Singh et al. / Construction and Building Materials 157 (2017) 1145–1153 1147

2.4. Virgin aggregates
Different sizes of aggregates were collected from J.M. Mhatre Infra Private Lim-
ited near Navi Mumbai. The aggregates were a basaltic rock with dark grey colour.
The impact, crushing, and Los angeles abrasion value of collected virgin aggregates
were found to be 8.9%, 16.2% and 12.9%, respectively (Table 2), indicating the suit-
ability the aggregates for construction of roads. Likewise, combined F&E value of
aggregate was found to be 12.6%, which is below maximum permissible limit as
35%. The water absorption of virgin aggregates was approximately 2.59%, which
higher than 2% limit, indicating that an appropriate anti-stripping agent is required
to prepare a mix. In the present study, hydrated lime was used as an anti-stripping
agent. The bulk specific gravity of aggregate was found to be 2.65.
3. Experimental plan
Two types of mixes were prepared in this study: (a) HMA with
different proportion of RAP (HMA-RAP), and (b) WMA with differ-
ent proportion of RAP (WMA-RAP). A total of five types of HMA-
RAP mixes (i.e. 0%RAP, 10%RAP, 20%RAP, 30%RAP and 40%RAP)
and five types of WMA-RAP mixes (0% RAP, 10%RAP, 20%RAP,
30%RAP and 40%RAP) were prepared. The moisture damage poten-
tial, and fracture resistance of the mixes were evaluated using TSR,
and SCB tests respectively.
3.1. Marshall mix design of asphalt mixes
The Asphalt Concrete (AC) with 19 mm nominal maximum
aggregate size was designed in this study. This mix is commonly
used for construction of a asphaltic layer of a flexible pavement
in India. The gradation of AC layer with upper and lower limit as
per MoRTH 2013 is plotted in Fig. 1. First blends of virgin and
RAP aggregates were designed in such a manner that combined
gradation falls within upper and lower limits of AC as per MoRTH
guidelines (MoRTH, 2013). Several trials were made while keeping
percentages of RAP content fixed for design of aggregate blend.
Lime was added as 2% by the weight of aggregates. The Fig. 1 shows
the aggregate gradation plot for different proportion of RAP, and it
can be seen that gradation falls within upper and lower limit, thus
acceptable.
First HMA mixes containing 0% RAP (HMA-0%RAP), 10% RAP
(HMA-10%RAP), 20%RAP (HMA-20%RAP), 30% RAP (HMA-30%RAP),
and 40%RAP (HMA-40%RAP) were designed using Marshall method
as per ASTM D6927. The Marshall samples of 100 mm diameter and
62.5 mm height were compacted with 75 blows on each face. The
mixing and compaction temperatures for HMA-RAP mixes were
kept close to 165 °C and 140 °C, respectively. The samples were pre-
pared at different asphalt content ranging from 4.5% to 6.5% at 0.5%
interval. The final mix design should satisfy volumetric properties
such as stability, flow, air voids, Voids in Mineral Aggregates
(VMA), and Voids Filled with Asphalt (VFA). The Optimum Asphalt
Content (OAC) of a mix was determined by taking the average of
asphalt content corresponding to maximum stability, maximum
unit weight and 4% air voids. Since RAP contained approximately
5.2% binder, therefore, the quantity of virgin binder needed for
the mix design was adjusted accordingly. Since the present research
work primary focused on evaluating the effect of WMA additives on
moisture damage resistivity potential and fracture performance of
mix containing different RAP contents, amount of asphalt binder
used for preparation of mixes containing WMA additives were kept
same as that of corresponding OAC for control mixes containing dif-
ferent RAP proportions. Similar approach has also been reported in
different literatures [23–25]. Thus, no separate mix design was car-
ried out for WMA-RAP mixes. The WMA-RAP mixes were prepared
by adding 2% FT-wax by the weight of binder. The mixing and com-
paction temperature for WMA-RAP mixes were selected approxi-
mately 140 °C and 120 °C, respectively [22]. It was noted that the
preparation of samples for WMA mixes required higher number
of blows to achieve target air voids. This could be due to low com-
paction temperature. The final mix design parameters for designed
mixes are shown in Table 4. It can be seen that designed mixes sat-
isfied volumetric and strength requirements.
4. Laboratory tests

4.1. Indirect Tensile strength (ITS) test

The moisture damage potential of HMA and WMA mixes with

different percentages of RAP (0%, 10%, 20%, 30%, and 40%) were eval-
uated using TSR approach. The specimen of thickness 63.5 ± 3 mm
and diameter of 100 mm were prepared at target air voids of
5 ± 1% using Marshall sample compactor. Two sets of samples (i)
wet conditioned, and (ii) dry unconditioned were prepared in the
laboratory. The wet conditioned samples were placed in water bath
maintained at a temperature of 60 °C for 24 h prior to testing. Sim-
ilarly, dry unconditioned sample were kept in water at 60 °C for 30–
40 min prior to testing. This test was conducted by applying a com-
pressive load at a rate of 50.8 mm/min on a cylindrical sample. The
tensile strength of a sample was calculated using Eq. (1). TSR was
calculated as a ratio of failure load of wet conditioned and dry
unconditioned samples as per Eq. (2). A high TSR value indicates a
Fig. 1. Aggregate gradation for designed mixes.
good water resistance mix and vice versa. The MoRTH (2013)

Table 4
Marshall mix design parameters.

% RAP 0 10 20 30 40 Limits (MoRTH 2013)

OAC (%) 5.63 5.8 5.60 5.60 5.0 –
Vv (%) 4.74 4.29 3.59 3.81 3.47 3–5
Vb (%) 13.24 13.70 13.4 13.39 12.00 –
VMA (%) 17.96 17.99 17.0 17.20 16.55 Min 17
VFB (%) 73.7 75.1 74.9 73.8 74.6 65–75
Stability (kN) 15.09 17.38 17.26 17.36 19.70 Min 9
Flow (mm) 3.44 3.97 3.85 3.91 3.67 2–4
1148 D. Singh et al. / Construction and Building Materials 157 (2017) 1145–1153

recommends a minimum TSR value of 80% for a mix to ensure mois- 500
20mm
ture resistant mix. However, this limit might not work for HMA-
RAP and WMA-RAP mixes, hence a comparison of TSR value for 400 25mm

WMA and HMA mixes were carried out in this study. 32mm

Load (N)
300
2000 P
S¼ ð1Þ
pDt 200
where, S = indirect tensile strength, kPa, P = Peak load at failure, N;
100
t = thickness of sample, mm, D = diameter of sample, mm
C 0
TSR ¼  100 ð2Þ 0 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5 3
UC
Displacement (mm)
where, C and UC is the average indirect tensile strength of wet con-
ditioned and dry unconditioned specimens (kPa). (a)

4.2. Semi-circular bending (SCB) test 0.25

Strain Energy (kN -mm)

The fracture resistance of asphalt mixes can be evaluated using 0.2 y = -0.0109x + 0.449
SCB test on the basis of fracture mechanics principal. The SCB test
has been preferred by many researchers [14,18–20,26]. The critical 0.15
energy release rate (J-integral or Jc) obtained from this test can be
used as an indicator of resistance to fracture. A higher J-integral
0.1
value indicates a stiffer mix, resulting in a better fracture resis-
tance and vice versa. The Fig. 2(a) shows set up of SCB test, and
its schematic is presented in Fig. 2(b). 0.05
A semi-circular sample of different notch depths were subjected
to a monotonic load at a rate of 0.5 mm/min in a three-point bend- 0
ing load configuration. The strain energy (U) to failure strain was 15 20 25 30 35
estimated from load versus vertical deformation graph Fig. 3(a). Notch Depth (mm)
A plot of notch depth and strain energy at failure is drawn, and (b)
slope of the line ‘‘ ðdUjdaÞ ” is estimated as shown in Fig. 3(b).
Thereafter, Jc is estimated from Eq. (3). Fig. 3. (a) Load versus vertical deformation, and (b) notch depth and strain energy
   at failure.
1 dU
Jc ¼  ð3Þ
b da
32 mm with ± 1 mm and width 2 ± 0.5 mm were created in semi-
where, Jc = critical value of J-Integral, kN/mm2, b = thickness of circular samples as shown in Fig. 4(b). A minimum of six SCB sam-
specimen, mm; a = notch depth, mm, and U = strain energy, N-mm. ples were prepared for each notch depth for each type of mixes.
Therefore, a total of 72 SCB samples (4 mixes  3 notch depth  6
4.2.1. Sample preparation for SCB test samples) were prepared in the laboratory. The test was conducted
The samples of 150 mm in diameter and 50 mm in height were at 35 °C by applying a load at a rate of 0.5 mm/min in a three-point
compacted using Marshall compactor machine with target air bending load configuration which is shown in Fig. 2. The 35 °C is
voids in range of 6.5 ± 0.5%. The circular specimens of 150 mm in considered as Annual Average Pavement Temperature (AAPT) used
diameter were cut into two semi-circular halves as shown in for design of flexible pavements in India. The load and deformation
Fig. 4(a). Three different notch depths: 20 mm, 25 mm and data were recorded for each of the samples.

Fig. 2. (a) SCB test setup, and (b) schematic of SCB test setup: 2s = 125 mm, b = 50 mm, L = 150 mm.
 D. Singh et al. / Construction and Building Materials 157 (2017) 1145–1153 1149

5. Results and discussion and WMA-0%RAP samples (without RAP) are 293 kPa and
200 kPa, respectively, indicating that addition of 2% FT wax
5.1. Moisture damage potential of mixes (WMA mix) had lower strength compared to HMA samples. Also,
it can be seen that addition of 10%RAP decreased dry ITS value of
5.1.1. Dry ITS HMA sample, while it caused increment in case of WMA sample.
The Fig. 5(a) shows the variation of dry ITS values for HMA-RAP Such trend indicates that addition of 2% FT wax with 10%RAP
and WMA-RAP mixes. It can be seen that dry ITS of HMA-0%RAP may provide better adhesion with virgin aggregates under dry

a b
32 mm

25 mm

20 mm

Specimen cutting Different notch depths

Fig. 4. (a) Cutting of SCB sample, and (b) sample with different notch sizes.

400
HMA-RAP WMA-RAP 338
293 286
300
261 255
Dry ITS (kPa)

234
209 219
200 199
200

100

0
0% 10% 20% 30% 40%
RAP (%)

(a)

400

HMA-RAP WMA-RAP
300 280
258 259
Wet ITS (kPa)

232 222
200 212
199
200 166 174

100

0
0% 10% 20% 30% 40%
RAP (%)
(b)
Fig. 5. ITS value of HMA and WMA mixes with RAP (a) dry ITS, and (b) wet ITS.
1150 D. Singh et al. / Construction and Building Materials 157 (2017) 1145–1153
condition. Though dry ITS value initially decreased for HMA mixes
with addition of 10%RAP, further increase can be seen with higher
RAP content. For example, for HMA-40% RAP, the dry ITS value can
observed to be 338 kPa, which is approximately 15% higher com-
pared to HMA-0%RAP. Such response could be believed due to
the fact that at lower RAP content, fresh HMA proportion of the
RAP + fresh HMA mix dictates the ITS strength, however with the
increase in RAP content, the ITS value is getting dominated by
RAP proportion which are stiffer and stronger than fresh HMA.
Similarly, for WMA-mixes, addition of RAP showed better or equal
performance. For example, for WMA-40%RAP, dry ITS was found to
be 255 kPa which was approximately 27.5% more compared to dry
ITS value of WMA-0%RAP.
Overall, it can be concluded that addition of lower RAP content
(less than 30%) may degrade the strength of the HMA mix under
dry condition, however improvement in dry strength may be
expected at higher RAP content (more than 30%). Also, addition
of RAP with WMA mixes may not degrade the strength in dry
condition.
5.1.2. Wet ITS
The Fig. 5(b) shows the variation of wet ITS value of HMA-RAP
and WMA-RAP mixes. The wet ITS value of HMA and WMA sam-
ples without RAP can observed to be 258 kPa and 166 kPa, respec-
tively. This indicates that mix with 2% FT-wax (WMA mix) had
lower strength compared to HMA samples after conditioning in
water. Also, it can be seen that addition of 10%RAP decreased
wet ITS value of HMA samples, while corresponding value for
WMA samples increased after addition of 10%RAP. Though wet
ITS value of HMA mixes initially decreased with addition of 10%
RAP, further increase in wet ITS value is evident at higher RAP con-
tent. Such response may be believed due to the similar reason as
explained in the dry ITS section. For example, considering HMA-
40%RAP mix, wet ITS value was measured to be 280 kPa, which is
approximately 8% higher compared to HMA-0%RAP. Similarly,
addition of RAP with WMA mixes also showed better or equal
wet ITS value. For example, for WMA-40%RAP, wet ITS was found
to be 212 kPa which was approximately 27.7% higher compared
to WMA-0%RAP.
Thus, based upon wet ITS value variation for different mixes, it
can be concluded that addition of RAP with WMA mixes may not
degrade the strength even after water conditioning. Additionally,
addition of RAP may also improve strength of HMA mix under
the presence of moisture, especially at higher RAP content (30%
and above).
1 the minimum requirement of 0.80.
HMA-RAP
0.96 0.95 0.95
WMA-RAP
0.92 0.91
0.91
0.89
0.88
TSR
0.87
0.88
0.84 0.83 0.830.83
0.8
0.76
0% 10% 20% 30% 40%
RAP (%)
Fig. 6. TSR value of HMA and WMA mixes with RAP.
5.1.3. Tensile strength ratio (TSR)
TSR value of HMA and WMA mixes with RAP is shown in Fig. 6.
The TSR value of virgin HMA mix without RAP (HMA-0%RAP) was
found to be 0.88, which is higher than the minimum recommended
value as 0.80 as per MoRTH (2013), therefore, passed the threshold
value. It is expected that addition of lime as filler might have
resulted in high TSR value. The TSR value of HMA-RAP mixes were
higher than control HMA mixes up to addition of 30% RAP, how-
ever, with further addition of 40% RAP, lowered TSR value can be
seen. For example, HMA-10%RAP, HMA-20%RAP, and HMA-30%
RAP mixes had TSR value of 0.95, 0.95, and 0.91, respectively, com-
pared to 0.88 TSR value for HMA-0% RAP. Likewise, HMA-40%RAP
showed TSR value as 0.83 compared to 0.88 for a HMA-0%RAP
mix. Such drop-off in TSR value (corresponding to 40% RAP con-
tent) could be possibly due to significant change in volumetric
properties such as drop-off in optimum asphalt content at 40%
RAP content. However, further investigation is needed before mak-
ing conclusive remark in this regard. Though addition of 40%RAP
showed decrease in TSR value, it still satisfied the minimum
requirement as per MoRTH specification.
While comparing TSR value for different percentage of RAP with
HMA mix, increase in TSR value till 20% RAP content can be seen
which further decreased with higher RAP contents. Such trend
indicates that higher RAP content (>20%) may result in a poor
mix as far as moisture damage potential is concerned. Therefore,
a careful attention should be given for designing mix with higher
percentage of RAP.
Further, TSR value for WMA-10%RAP, WMA-20%RAP and WMA-
30%RAP mixes were found to be 0.89, 0.87, and 0.91 respectively,
compared to TSR value as 0.83 for WMA-0% RAP, thus better mois-
ture resistant mix after addition of RAP. Similar to HMA-RAP mix,
significant drop-off in TSR value for WMA-40%RAP mix can be seen
which could be due to significant decrease in optimum asphalt
content corresponding to 40% RAP-WMA mix. Though 40%RAP-
WMA mix showed sudden decrease in TSR value, it still satisfied
the minimum requirement of 80% as per MoRTH specification.
Therefore, addition of RAP up to 40% may deemed suitable with
HMA and WMA mixes from moisture damage resistivity potential
point of view.
The TSR value of HMA and WMA mixes without RAP (HMA-0%
RAP and WMA-0% RAP) were found to be 0.88 and 0.83, indicating
addition of wax based WMA may decrease moisture resistance
potential of HMA mix. However, TSR value for both the mixes were
higher than the minimum required value of 0.80, and hence passed
moisture damage resistance test. The TSR value of HMA-RAP mixes
were found to be higher compared to WMA-RAP mixes up to 20%
RAP. However, addition of higher percentage of RAP (i.e., 30% and
40%) resulted in a similar value of TSR for HMA and WMA mixes.
The results show that addition of RAP to HMA is significantly effec-
tive compared to addition of RAP to WMA. Both types of mixes pass
5.2. Fracture resistance of different mixes
5.2.1. Strain energy variation
Fig. 7 shows the variation of strain energy with notch depths for
HMA-RAP and WMA-RAP mixes. The strain energy at failure was
calculated from load and vertical deformation recorded during
SCB test. Though the present research work considered load defor-
mation plot only up to peak load point for evaluating strain energy
[20,27–30], post peak load deformation behaviour also needs to be
considered for evaluating fracture properties [31,32]. A higher
value of strain energy indicates a stiffer mix and vice versa. It
can be seen that strain energy at failure decreased with increase
in notch depth. It is an expected trend, since a sample with higher
notch depth takes low load at failure, resulting in decreased strain
 D. Singh et al. / Construction and Building Materials 157 (2017) 1145–1153 1151

0.6
HMA-0%RAP HMA-10%RAP HMA-20%RAP
0.5
HMA-30%RAP HMA-40%RAP

Strain energy (kN-mm)

0.4

0.3

0.2

0.1

0.0
15 20 25 30 35
Notch depths (mm)
(a)

0.7
WMA-0%RAP WMA-10%RAP
0.6
WMA-20%RAP WMA-30%RAP
Strain Energy (kN-mm)

0.5 WMA-40%RAP

0.4

0.3

0.2

0.1

0.0
15 20 25 30 35
Notch depths (mm)

(b)
Fig. 7. Strain Energy versus notch depths for (a) HMA mixes with RAP, and (b) WMA mixes with RAP.

energy. Such decrease in strain energy value with increase in notch
depth may be attributed to decrease in effective ligament area
leading to attainment of peak load at comparatively lower load
level [19,20]. For example, for HMA mixes, for 20 mm notch depth,
strain energy for mix with addition of 15%, 25%, and 40% RAP were
found to be 0.25, 0.31, 0.38, and 0.49 kN-mm, respectively com-
pared to 0.21 kN-mm for HMA-0%RAP (Fig. 7(a)). A similar trend
was also observed for other notch depths. It is important to note
that extent of increment in strain energy decreased at higher notch
depth and therefore, all mixes showed strain energy very close to
each other at higher RAP content. Such response might be due to
rapid failure of specimens at higher notch depth irrespective of
the strength of the mixes. Similarly, for WMA mixes, at 20 mm
notch depth, strain energy for mix with 15%, 25%, and 40% RAP con-
tent were found to be 0.24, 0.27, 0.34, and 0.62 kN-mm, respec-
tively compared to 0.20 kN-mm for 0%RAP (Fig. 7(b)). A similar
trend was also observed for other notch depths. Such response
may be attributed to increase in stiffness of the mixes with RAP
addition due to its aged and stiffer nature. This in- turn indicates
the increase in amount of energy required by specimen before fail-
ure under fracture with RAP addition. A straight line was fit to esti-
mate slope of this line ‘‘ðdUjdaÞ” which was used to estimate Jc
value using Eq. (3) as discussed in the subsequent section.
5.2.2. Comparison of critical energy release rate: Jc
The Fig. 8 shows comparison of Jc for HMA and WMA mixes for
different percentage of RAP. It can be seen from this plot that Jc val-
ues for HMA mixes were higher than that of WMA mixes. Such
response shows that HMA mixes are stronger and more fracture
resistance compared to WMA mixes containing similar percent-
ages of RAP. Similar response has been reported in literature where
addition of WMA to RAP-HMA mixture showed reduction in frac-
ture performance based upon SCB test [2,27,28,33]. As per the
detailed literature review, such response may be attributed to
one or combination of different factors such as: (a) lowered pro-
duction temperature for WMA mixes compared to HMA mixes,
and (b) relatively stiffer nature of WMA compared to HMA in inter-
mediate temperature zone.
The Jc value also found to be increasing with addition of RAP for
HMA and WMA mixes. For example, for HMA mix, Jc for a mix
without RAP was found to be 0.21 kJ/m2 which increased to 0.26,
0.34, 0.40 and 0.55 kJ/m2 with addition of 10%, 20%, 30%, and 40%
RAP, respectively. Similarly, for WMA mix, addition of RAP up to
20% did not change Jc value significantly. However, addition of
higher percentage of RAP (i.e., 30% and 40%) resulted into signifi-
cant change in Jc value. For example, Jc value for a mix with 30%
and 40% RAP were found to be 0.28 kJ/m2 and 0.48 kJ/m2,
1152 D. Singh et al. / Construction and Building Materials 157 (2017) 1145–1153

0.6
HMA-RAP y = 0.0083x + 0.1876
0.5 R² = 0.96
WMA-RAP
0.4

Jc (kJ/m )
2 0.3 y = 0.0062x + 0.156
R² = 0.72
0.2

0.1

0
0 10 20 30 40 50
RAP (%)

Fig. 8. Critical energy release rate- Jc for HMA and WMA mixes with different RAP content.

respectively, as compared to 0.2 kJ/m2 for 0% RAP. The increase in Jc may crack heavily if the pavement structure is poor and/or not
with RAP shows that a mix becomes more fracture resistance as properly considered.
compared with a mix without RAP. Overall, it was found that addi-
tion of RAP increases fracture resistance of both HMA and WMA
6. Conclusions
mixes. Theoretically, addition of RAP to HMA and WMA mixture
is expected to decrease fracture resistance due to increase in stiff-
The following conclusions can be drawn from the results and
ness characteristics and brittleness to mixture, however opposite
discussion presented above:
trend is evident in this research work as discussed above. More-
over, authors also didn’t find consistent conclusive remark in pub-
1. For both HMA and WMA mixes, TSR value increased with an
lished literature regarding effect of RAP on intermediate
increase in RAP content up to 30%. However, further increase
temperature properties. For example, Lu and Saleh [27] carried
in RAP content reduced the TSR value. HMA mix with 40%RAP
out SCB test on HMA and WMA-RAP mixture. Though incorpora-
showed lower moisture resistant potential compared to control
tion of WMA showed degradation in fracture properties, further
HMA mix.
addition of RAP up to 40% showed consistent improvement in frac-
2. The TSR value of HMA-RAP mixes were found to be higher com-
ture properties. Such response was attributed to increase in stiff-
pared to WMA-RAP mixes up to 20% RAP. The addition of higher
ness of mixture with RAP addition in intermediate temperature
percentage of RAP (i.e., 30% and 40%) resulted in a similar value
zone. Similar decrease in fracture property with RAP addition has
of TSR for HMA and WMA mixes. The results showed that addi-
been reported by Kim et al. [28] for two asphalt mixture out of
tion of RAP to HMA is more effective compared to addition of
total four considered mixture. Such response may be attributed
RAP to WMA mixes.
to: (a) unaccountability of post peak behaviour in current research
3. The improvement in strain energy with addition of RAP indi-
work whose importance has been raised by Hanz et al. [31] and
cates better fracture resistance of a mix. Critical energy release
Dave et al. [32] while evaluating fracture properties. However,
rate- Jc increased with inclusion of RAP, showing that a mix is
based upon reviewed literature on evaluating fracture properties
more fracture resistant after addition of RAP.
of asphaltic mixture, the load deformation plot till peak load was
4. It was found that Jc values for HMA mix were higher than that of
only considered in the presented work [20,27–30], (b) absence of
WMA mixes. Overall, it was found that addition of RAP
relaxation time in SCB test which dictates the degree the fracture
increased fracture resistance of both HMA and WMA mixes. In
resistance up to an extent. However, while evaluating J-integral
general fracture resistance performance of HMA-RAP mixes
value through SCB test, asphaltic mixture sample was subjected
found to be superior compared to WMA-RAP mixes. However
to particular monotonic loading rate, and (c) variability in material
considering the dynamic loading condition during field perfor-
properties such as variability in volumetric design mix containing
mance, it is important to correlate fracture property obtained
RAP, variability in collected RAP etc. may be attributed to such
from SCB test with the fatigue test involving dynamic loading
response. On the other hand, degradation in fracture property
before making further conclusive remark.
has also been reported with addition of RAP [34,35]. Additionally,
considering the response under cyclic loading condition, though
many authors has shown decreased fatigue life with RAP addition 7. Limitations and recommendations
[36,37], significant improvement in fatigue life with RAP addition
[38–42] has also been reported in literature. Therefore, the actual The present research work aimed at evaluating moisture dam-
singular reason behind such change/behaviour life with RAP addi- age resistivity, and fracture properties of HMA containing RAP
tion may not be identified, rather, it may be attributed to combined and Wax based WMA additive. While evaluating fracture proper-
effect of variability in RAP properties, approach used for evaluating ties using SCB test, post peak load deformation plot was not con-
fatigue life, variability in volumetric properties containing RAP etc. sidered in the reported work. Likewise, effect of RAP and WMA
Above all, it should also be noted that the reported work is an additive addition on rutting performance has also not been dis-
effort of laboratory investigation purely on asphaltic mixture. cussed in this research work. These points constitutes the various
Though addition of RAP resulted into fracture resistant mix, as broader limitations of present research work. Therefore, in order
the pavement structure as a whole is not considered, mixture to develop more understanding in this regard, further research
 D. Singh et al. / Construction and Building Materials 157 (2017) 1145–1153
work is needed. Key area of future research work are as mentioned
below:

Analyzing effect of post peak behaviour on fracture properties
of asphaltic mixture in SCB test.

Evaluating the effect of WMA addition on rutting performance
of RAP-HMA mixture.

Develop relationship between SCB test which is quick and fast
with the dynamic loading based tests such as four point beam
fatigue test, Indirect Diametrical Tensile (IDT) fatigue test.
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