Heat transfer model for microwave hot in-place recycling of asphalt pavements

In order to solve for temperature fields in microwave heating for recycling asphalt mixtures, a two-dimensional heat transfer model for the asphalt mixtures within the heating range is built based on the theory of unsteady heat conduction. Four onedimensional heat transfer models are established for the asphalt mixtures outside the heating range, which are simplified into four half-infinite solids. The intensity of the radiation electric field is calculated through experiment by using heating water loads. It is suggested that the mathematical model of boundary conditions can be established in two ways, which are theoretical deduction and experimental reverse. The actual temperature field is achieved by fitting temperatures of different positions collected in the heating experiment. The simulant temperature field, which is solved with the Matlab PDE toolbox, is in good agreement with the actual temperature field. The results indicate that the proposed models have high precision and can be directly used to calculate the temperature distribution of asphalt pavements.

Numerical simulation analysis on multi-layer low-temperature heating method of asphalt pavement in hot in-place recycling

Asphalt mixture pavement reheating is one of the important steps in hot in-place recycling(HIR).To improve the heating speed of asphalt pavement in HIR,based on the numerical analysis model of asphalt mixture heating process,a new multi-layer low-temperature heating method(MLHM)was proposed.Considering input heat flux,the thermal capacity and thermal resistance of asphalt mixture,the heat transfer model was established based on energy conservation law.By heating the asphalt mixture in layers,it changes the situation that the heat energy can only be input from the upper surface of the asphalt mixture pavement.Through the simulation of the heating method of asphalt mixture in the existing technology,the result shows that the existing heating methods lead to serious aging or charring of the asphalt mixture.By MLHM,the upper and the bottom of the asphalt mixture are heated at the same time,and the heating temperature is lower than other heat methods,which not only reduces the heating thickness and increases the heating area of the asphalt mixture pavement,but also improves the heating speed,saves the energy resource and ensures the heating quality.Especially,by MLHM,the heating uniformity is better and speed is faster.

Application and Research on Plant-Mixed Thermal Regeneration Technology of RAP Asphalt Mixtures

When the plant-mixed thermal regeneration technology is adopted for the waste asphalt pavement mixtures,its performance can basically reach the level of freshly-mixed asphalt concrete,which can be used for paving the middle and lower layers of road pavements of various grades.Through the research and application of plant-mixed thermal regeneration technology based on China's Kunming-Yuxi Expressway Pavement Overhaul Project,this paper summarizes relevant technical points and effectively advocates the promotion and application of this technology in highway maintenance.

Towards very high RAP content asphalt mixes:A comprehensive performance-based study of rejuvenated binders

Hot recycling of reclaimed asphalt pavement(RAP)from replacement of deteriorated asphalt pavements is a widespread technique,and able to ensure clear economic and environmental benefits.For this reason,paving industries,agencies and researchers are spending significant efforts in order to maximize such advantages by increasing the amount of RAP within new asphalt mixtures.Nevertheless,adequate performance of recycled mixtures must be guaranteed despite the re-use of high amounts of RAP which involves the presence of aged,oxidized and stiffened binder.In this perspective,the present study aimed at evaluating the rheological properties at mid-service and high-service temperatures of bituminous blends composed by 40%of virgin binder and 60%of aged rejuvenated bitumen(simulating the aged hard bitumen coming from the RAP).Such proportion was selected to represent a high recycling rate of RAP(about 60%of the total weight of aggregates,RAP included).A chemical commercial additive at the liquid state was selected as rejuvenator;it was dosed at the optimum content based on empirical and rheological preliminary characterization.The performance of the recycled blend was then compared to that of a virgin reference bitumen.Dynamic shear rheometer tests were carried out to determine the master curves and the failure characteristics(at mid and high service temperatures)of the selected binders.The effect of aging(related to the durability over the material lifetime)was also studied analyzing binders’responses in unaged,shortterm and long-term aged conditions.Overall,experimental findings demonstrated the efficacy of the rejuvenation of recycled binders containing very high amount of aged bitumen.