Use of Reclaimed Asphalt Pavement in Conjunction with Ground Improvement: A Case History

The use of Reclaimed Asphalt Pavement (RAP) in lieu of virgin crushed stone aggregate is becoming a widely accepted practice for a number of construction applications, particularly pavement base courses. A number of laboratory RAP studies have considered the mechanical properties of RAP bases in order to support pavement designs incorporating RAP. These studies have revealed a number of interesting relationships between RAP moisture content, compaction, and stiffness. This paper discusses the experiences of a design-build contractor integrating a geosynthetic ground improvement program with a RAP base during the reconstruction of a 1.95 ha asphalt parking lot. Field observations of base course construction with RAP explore some of the implications of laboratory findings. A number of interesting observations on the technical, construction, and economic issues resulting from the project challenges and the use of RAP are presented.

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