An Experimental Study on the Performance of Recycled Stone Matrix Asphalt Pavement

The objective of this research is to evaluate on the performance of recycled stone matrix asphalt pavement. This study prepared recycled SMA mixtures using reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP) with basalt and modified asphalt. Their paving performance, mechanical performance, and fatigue performance were assessed. A comparison was conducted with an AC-13 modified asphalt mixture so as to determine the feasibility and practicability of using hot-mixed recycling technology in a pitch factory to prepare recycled SMA mixtures. The performance aspects of the recycled SMA mixtures were characterized using the wheel-rutting test, beam bending test, Marshall stability test, pendulum friction test, and seepage test. A dynamic modulus test was used to assess the mechanical performance of the recycled asphalt mixtures, and a four-point-bending fatigue test was used to assess the fatigue performance of the recycled asphalt mixtures. The results indicate that the performances of the two recycled asphalt mixtures containing different proportions of RAP can meet the standards. The doping amount of RAP did not significantly impact the surface performances of the two recycled asphalt mixtures. As the RAP content increased, the dynamic moduli of the recycled SMA-13 asphalt mixture and AC-13 modified asphalt mixture gradually increased, whereas their fatigue performance deteriorated. The recycled SMA-13 asphalt mixture experienced less of a decrease in fatigue performance as compared to that of the new asphalt mixture. This indicates that the fatigue performance of the recycled asphalt mixture was satisfactory. Various performance indicators of the recycled SMA-13 asphalt mixtures were excellent, indicating that using hot-mixed recycling technology in a pitch factory is feasible for preparing recycled SMA mixtures.