Reclaimed asphalt mixture is a composite material comprising a specific blend of recycled old asphalt pavement, obtained through processes such as excavation, recycling, crushing, screening, and incorporation of a regenerative agent, along with new asphalt components and fresh aggregates. The recycled component from old asphalt is commonly referred to as RAP. Incorporating RAP into asphalt mixtures not only curbs the need for raw materials but also mitigates environmental repercussions.
In recent times, a growing number of scholars have directed their attention towards the study of Reclaimed Asphalt Pavement (RAP). Tarsi [
1] presented a comprehensive overview of RAP applications in both the United States and European countries. The paper delved into the economic and environmental significance of these applications, revealing the substantial value in RAP research. Roja [
2] conducted an investigation involving asphalt mixtures with varying RAP contents (15%, 25%, and 35%) and examined the influence of its adhesive properties. The findings established the optimum RAP content for enhancing fracture resistance as 20%. Furthermore, an optimal quantity of active RAP adhesive within the entire mixture was determined.Zhou Z [
3] employed an energy consumption approach to assess fatigue damage in R-SCB (Repeated Simple Shear Beam) tests. The study discerned distinct stages of damage progression, including stable, cumulative, and skip damage stages. Cumulative energy exhibited a linear correlation with loading cycles, adhering to the principles of the linear Miner's law within R-SCB tests. The research introduced the average consumption per cycle (ECPCAVE) as a crucial indicator for evaluating asphalt mixture fatigue cracking performance. Notably, the study found that ECPCAVE was inversely proportional to fatigue life, with higher ECPCAVE values indicating faster fatigue damage accumulation and reduced fatigue life. The incorporation of RAP was noted to enhance ECPCAVE and the rate of fatigue damage accumulation, with higher RAP content leading to increased fatigue damage accumulation and subsequently shorter fatigue life.Shatarat [
4] explored the influence of recycled coarse aggregate (RCA) and RAP in pervious concrete (PC) on its overall performance. The investigation revealed that the incorporation of RCA, RAP, and their combination (RAP-RCA) generally contributed to improved PC performance, particularly in enhancing mechanical properties. The optimal blend ratio was determined to be 60% RAP and 40% RCA. Yang [
5] undertook a study to evaluate the impact of milling speed on RAP particle agglomeration and examined the susceptibility of agglomerated particles to size variations. The results indicated that a notable portion (around 30%-50%) of RAP particles consisted of aggregates smaller than their corresponding particle sizes. Agglomeration tendencies were observed to increase with higher milling speeds and larger RAP particle sizes. Higher milling speeds correlated with reduced aggregate breakdown rates, resulting in higher coarse aggregate content and lower filler and fine aggregate content, while the converse held true for lower milling speeds.Rout [
6] conducted an investigation into the utilization of RAP in cement concrete. The findings indicated that despite a reduction in concrete strength with the inclusion of a certain proportion of RAP, the concrete mix still adhered to design requirements.
Liu [
7] conducted experiments by introducing a range of RAP percentages (80-100% by weight) into polyethylene modified asphalt mixture (PEHMA). The results highlighted superior rut resistance of the RAP-modified mixture compared to pure PEHMA in high-temperature performance tests. Furthermore, its water stability, low-temperature resilience, and fatigue performance were shown to meet the required standards. PaluriY [
8] conducted tests showcasing that substituting natural aggregate with RAP aggregate beyond 20% led to a significant reduction in the compressive strength of asphalt concrete. However, when RAP replaced natural aggregate within a 20% limit, both compressive and bending strengths met specifications, with the optimal 20% RAP substitution yielding enhanced flexural toughness. Poursoltani M [
9] replaced original aggregate with RAP in varying proportions (69% and 43%) and found that the RAP mixture required an additional 1% bitumen compared to the VA mixture to achieve sufficient cohesion within the specified timeframe. Mixtures with higher RAP content necessitated a minor additive to extend mixing time and processability, contributing to reduced material preparation costs when compared to the optimum 69% RAP replacement.Guo Peng [
10] evaluated three distinct reclaimed coarse aggregate particle shapes—spherical, convex, and rough—varying in angularity. Investigating the influence of coarse aggregate angularity on high-temperature performance of reclaimed asphalt mixture, the study deduced that angularity decreased with increasing old aggregate content, yet high-temperature stability gradually improved. [
11] employed digital image processing and flow time determination to depict coarse aggregate angularity, roundness, and texture complexity. Rut experiments indicated that increased angularity, roundness, and texture complexity heightened rut resistance of the mixture. Wang Chaan [
12] utilized image processing to analyze average particle size, roundness, and angle of coarse aggregate, subsequently conducting rutting experiments with wear cycles as variables. The study concluded that reducing angle enhanced high-temperature performance of the asphalt mixture. Diaozhijun [
13] employed IPP software to derive nine coarse aggregate characteristics—area, circumference, roundness—and statistically analyzed their influence on asphalt mixture Marshall index, tensile strength index, and viscoelastic index using SPSS software. Coarse aggregate axial coefficient, fractal dimension, roughness, and angular parameters emerged as primary factors affecting these indices. Liu Y [
14] investigated the influence of coarse aggregate morphology on stone matrix asphalt (SMA) rutting, employing asphalt pavement analyzer (APA) on samples from eight SMA mixtures. The findings indicated that leveling ratio and elongation had negligible impact on rutting depth, while spherical shape, angle, and texture positively contributed to SMA's rutting resistance. Aragao [
15] characterized two aggregates, Yuanhe gravel and broken gneiss, based on traditional and modern image analysis system (AIMS 2) methods. Morphological attributes displayed a stronger correlation with mixture performance compared to conventional methods. Coarse particle morphology, particularly roundness and axiality, were closely linked to asphalt mixture rut resistance.The study of [
16] identified numerous factors influencing the skid resistance durability of asphalt mixtures, highlighting the linear correlation between two-dimensional morphological features of coarse aggregates—like roundness and axiality—and skid performance. This underscores the significant role of coarse aggregate morphology in determining skid resistance durability.
In conclusion, the utilization of reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP) offers resource conservation benefits while ensuring road performance that aligns with design specifications within specific ratios. The key differentiator between RAP material and new material lies in the alteration of material form characteristics due to wear. Through extensive investigation of various morphological parameters, this study has underscored the significant influence of roundness on the mechanical properties of RAP. As a result, an optimal RAP content of 30% was determined, enabling manipulation of aggregate gradation to enhance the overall roundness characteristics of the mixture. This manipulation of roundness has demonstrated a notable impact on the mechanical attributes of reclaimed asphalt mixture.