Use of Geosynthetics to Stabilize Recycled Aggregates in Roadway Construction

During the re-construction of existing roads, including highways and railways, a large amount of concrete and asphalt pavements and ballast are removed and disposed. For sustainable use of these materials, they have been increasingly recycled as aggregates for the construction of roadways. Due to the existence of asphalt, cement, and fines, the mechanical properties (mainly strength and stiffness) of recycled aggregates decrease. They may also have long-term durability problems, such as the breakage and abrasion of crushed concrete and creep of recycled asphalt pavement. Geosynthetics (including geotextile, geogrid, and geocell) have been used to improve the mechanical properties and long-term durability of recycled aggregates. This paper reviews recent research work on the use of geosynthetics to stabilize recycled aggregates in roadway construction and summarizes the main research findings including the permanent, resilient, and creep deformations, stress distribution, strength, and modulus of geosynthetic-reinforced recycled aggregates.