Laboratory Evaluation of Performance Properties of Asphalt Binders and Mixes Containing a New Rejuvenator

As higher recycled asphalt pavement (RAP) contents are utilized in asphalt mixtures, the mixes will be stiffer and more brittle, thereby losing resistance to various types of cracking. To offset these changes in stiffness and ductility, rejuvenators have been used in asphalt mixes containing high recycled contents to improve their performance properties. The objective of this project was to evaluate the effect of a new rejuvenator, a corn oil-based coproduct, on the performance of high RAP mixes. Three mixes were evaluated in this study: two 50% RAP mixes with and without the rejuvenator and a control virgin mix. Performance grade and frequency sweep tests were conducted to explore the effect of rejuvenator on the performance of the asphalt binder. Moisture damage, dynamic modulus, rutting, and cracking tests were performed to evaluate the effect of rejuvenator on the mix performance. Results of this study indicated that the new rejuvenator was effective in lowering the stiffness of RAP asphalt binder and improving the resistance to cracking and moisture damage of 50% RAP mix without imposing negative rutting effects.