Creep Deformation of Unreinforced and Geocell-Reinforced Recycled Asphalt Pavements

Recycled Asphalt Pavement (RAP) is a removed and reprocessed pavement material containing asphalt and aggregates. Literature indicates that RAP can be used as a base course material for pavement applications. Permanent deformation or rutting is one of the concerns in the use of RAP as a base course due to creep deformation. However, limited research exists to quantify the creep deformation characteristics of RAP. Since geocell can provide lateral confinement to granular materials, it is expected that geocell can reduce creep deformation of RAP. The objective of this study was to investigate the creep behavior of unreinforced and geocell-reinforced RAP bases under a sustained load in laboratory. Novel polymeric alloy geocell was used in this study. Three laboratory tests were conducted in a test box (60.5 cm x 60.5 cm x 15 cm high) and a compaction mold to investigate the role of lateral confinement in reduction of creep deformation of RAP. Creep tests were conducted at a room temperature of 25°C. Each test lasted for 7 to 10 days. Creep strain versus time curves are plotted and the results are discussed. The test results showed that lateral confinement could minimize the creep deformation of RAP.