Properties of reclaimed asphalt pavement enriched concrete

As a consequence of increasing economic growth, the construction industry sector has higher demands on the consumption of various building materials. Concrete, one of the most important material, with the annual production over 6 billion tons is thus an essential commodity. However, a significant quantity of aggregates has to be supplied for its production thereby negative environmental and ecological impacts may occur. Reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP), due to its rich stockpiles, brings a potential solution as a candidate of supplementing material to natural aggregates. This paper is focused on the investigation of possible reusing of RAP as a replacement of mined natural sand in the range of 0 – 100 % for concrete production. Hardened samples cured for 28 days under water have been tested to determinate their structural and mechanical properties. Moreover, structural arrangement and adhesion between used aggregates types and cement matrix were observed under optical microscope. Although obtained data showed an important increase of open porosity adversely accompanied with the strengths reduction with higher dosages of RAP, still applications of the limited RAP quantities up to 25 vol. % gives to the tested waste material high potential for concrete manufacturing.