CAN YOU REALLY RECYCLE PEMS BACK TO PEMS AND BE CONFIDENT ALSO ON SURFACE PROPERTIES?

摘要

Porous European Mixes (PEMs) are open-graded surface courses with high voids content(20% circa).About ten millions of square meters of PEMs are going to be definitely laid in SouthernItaly (Calabria), but there is still considerable need for additional performance informationfor the use of Reclaimed Asphalt Pavement (RAP) in premium surface course mixes andthis will pose rehabilitation problems.Therefore research is needed.In the light of these premises, objectives and scopes were focused on the idea of recyclingporous asphalt concretes back into porous asphalt concretes.Two main issues were addressed: I) what about the bearing properties?; II) what about thefriction properties?In order to investigate on the abovementioned issues an experimental plan was designed.Mixes with high RAP (reclaimed asphalt pavement) contents were prepared and tested.Design and construction features, including mix design and mixing procedures wereaddressed.Mechanical performance was adequate and environmental compatibility was achieved.The tests carried out are encouraging about the possibility of achieving a satisfactory levelof surface performance.Practical applications and perspectives in rehabilitation, maintenance, and research areoutlined.