Application of Slow Curing Bitumen as a Rejuvenating Agent in Aged Bituminous Mixes

Recycling of bituminous mixes is extending worldwide with the aim of conserving natural resources and the environment. Rejuvenating agents are generally used in recycling processesin order to soften the aged binders in mixes. Cutback bitumens have been used in Iran mainly in preparing conventional cold mixes. However, the long term good performance of these cold mixes in various parts of the country has shown less hardening of these mixes, compared with conventional HMA mixes. In this research the application of a cutbackbitumen has been investigatedas a rejuvenating agent in mixes containing laboratory aged binders. A 60-70 penetration grade bitumen from Refinery of Tehran was aged under Thin Film Oven Testing (TFOT) conditions. Asphalt Concrete samples were prepared using TFOT aged and virgin binders. Additional samples were prepared using the aged binders together with various amounts of a slow curing SC-250 cutback bitumen from the above refinery. The compacted four inchdiameter samples were tested under static creep testing. The results showed promising effects of the cutback binder in rejuvenating the aged mixes. Based on the results of this study, a mix design criteria wasset for recycled mixes containing cutback bitumen as the rejuvenating agent.