Comparative Performance of Concrete Pavements with Recycled Concrete Aggregate (RCA) and Virgin Aggregate Subbases

Using recycled concrete aggregate (RCA) as base/subbase for road construction is alternative way to manage construction waste and reduces the need for virgin aggregates. This paper discusses the long-term performance of concrete pavements on RCA granular layer in comparison to concrete pavements on virgin aggregate granular layer. 18 representative RCA pavement sections across Iowa were primary selected considering state wide location and pavement age. Detailed visual distress surveys were conducted to identify the current pavement surface condition information and the primary distress on RCA granular layer pavement. The pavement information data for the surveyed RCA subbase sections and the corresponding virgin aggregate subbase sections in similar condition were extracted from the Iowa DOT's Pavement Management Information System (PMIS). The performance of the RCA and the virgin aggregate sections was investigated and compared in terms of the pavement condition index (PCI) and the International Roughness Index (IRI). The results indicate that RCA granular layer provides performance compared to the virgin aggregate granular layer in Iowa pavements and are performing adequately.