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Project

Sustainable asphalt by using rejuvenators (REJUVEBIT)

Reclaimed asphalt is usually reintroduced into the asphalt production cycle as asphalt granulate, mainly in base courses. With an average reuse ratio of 66% for asphalt granulate, there is still a final step to be taken to optimise reuse and/or broaden the scope of application, for example use in top layers. Rejuvebit aims to technically, economically and ecologically evaluate the use of rejuvenation agents in the asphalt sector, so that their innovative use can lead to an increase in the recycling percentage of released asphalt granulate. The review and market survey of the supply of rejuvenation agents leads to a ranking of potential rejuvenation agents for the Flemish asphalt sector. On the basis of 6 demonstrative trial sites in Flanders, the technical impact of the use of rejuvenation agents was evaluated at the level of mixture design pre-study, mechanical properties of the post-study and traceability. These demonstrations were intensively documented by means of a written final report and a publicly accessible website. Each test section was divided into subsections so that, in addition to a reference, variants were also constructed. The project provides for the reporting of the quantification of the environmental impact and economic feasibility for Flanders, with scenarios for asphalt plants, processability and life span, in relation to a reference, in order to increase the recycling rate at sector level and per type of mixture. The project results were communicated through reports, the project website (https://www.uantwerpen.be/en/research-groups/emib/rejuvebit/) and various presentations. The project deals with sustainability in the sense of technical durability (quality and life span) and sustainability (financial feasibility, ecological profile and social impact). The economic impact refers to a higher production of asphalt and more in-depth innovation studies for "greener asphalt", since the increase in recycling (both higher percentages and new applications) will not lead to lower turnover but to higher production for the same budget of the client. In this project, the direct economic effect (for the target group) is calculated for the 6 test surfaces (cost price balance with higher recycling and extension of service life). The social added value is to be found in a better preservation of the road infrastructure (demonstrated in this project by means of lab test results and afterwards by having test surfaces available) and a lower ecological footprint with a higher production quantity, demonstrated in this project by means of comparative LCA-studies of the 6 test surfaces. This quantification can subsequently be used by policy makers for further environmental measures in this sector, or as an example in other sectors. The project was successfully completed. The project has shown that the use of asphalt granulate in top layers is possible up to 40% and in baselayers up to 80%, provided that a rejuvenating agent is used. The test sites are monitored annually for further evaluation. More info via: https://www.uantwerpen.be/en/research-groups/emib/rers/projects/highlighted/rejuvebit/
Date:1 Nov 2018 →  31 Oct 2020
Keywords:LIFE CYCLE ASSESSMENT, RECYCLING ACTIVITIES, ROAD CONSTRUCTION SECTOR, ASPHALT
Disciplines:Infrastructure engineering and asset management, Life cycle analysis of construction materials, Materials recycling and valorisation
Project type:Collaboration project