Journal of Transportation Research

Journal of Transportation Research

Improving the performance of recycled asphalts: Optimization of polyolefin-glass fibers based on performance and aging characteristics

Document Type : Original Article

Author
Amir Amini
Department of Civil Engineering, Na.C., Islamic Azad University, Najafabad, Iran.
10.22034/tri.2025.529123.3352
Abstract
In order to reduce costs and make optimal use of natural resources, the use of recycled asphalt pavement (RAP) has increasingly gained attention as a sustainable solution in the paving industry. This study investigates the effect of glass-polyolefin fibers (PGF) on the mechanical properties of asphalt mixtures containing 50% RAP under different aging conditions (unaged, short-term aging, and long-term aging). The results of the tests indicated that in the unaged condition, high values of modulus of elasticity and fatigue life were achieved, confirming the positive impact of PGF on improving mechanical properties. Moreover, under short-term aging conditions, despite a reduction in some characteristics, PGF helped maintain the strength and stability of the mixtures. Finally, under long-term aging conditions, a significant improvement in the performance of the mixtures was observed with the optimal PGF amount. The results show that the optimal PGF amount varies for each aging condition: 0.1200 for unaged, 0.090 for short-term aging, and 0.1150 for long-term aging. This research demonstrates that PGF can serve as an effective additive for optimizing the performance of recycled asphalt mixtures under various conditions. The findings can assist engineers and researchers in designing and developing durable and sustainable asphalt mixtures for construction projects. Additionally, the use of PGF contributes to the reduction of virgin material consumption and minimizes environmental impacts, which is considered an important advantage for sustainable development in the construction industry.
Keywords
Recycled Asphalt Pavement (RAP)
Glass-Polyolefin Fibers (PGF)
Mechanical Properties
Aging
Optimization
Subjects
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