Preparation and Characterization of Modified Reclaimed Asphalt by Using Styrene – butyl Acrylate Nanoemulsion Copolymer

Reclaimed Asphalt Pavement (RAP) is beneficial because it provides and decreases the cost of the construction, while increasing environmental sustainability. The main purpose of this study is to investigate the best practice of RAP in Egypt, in order to determine the effect of using 100% RAP instead of using virgin aggregates and asphalt. The study also investigates the effect of thermoplastic elastomers polymer as asphalt modifier. Also, improve the mechanical and physical characteristics and hence improving the quality asphalt paving, increase asphalt-paving age and reduce the cost. Nano acrylate copolymer has been prepared with different wt.% and was tested for Fourier Transforms Infrared (FTIR), Molecular Weight (Mwt), Thermo Gravimetric Analysis (TGA) and Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM). A 4wt.% of the prepared nanoemulsion copolymer was mixed with virgin asphalt as a polymer modifier, to improve and reuse of the RAP. The modified binder was tested. The tests conducted include penetration, kinematic viscosity, softening point and specific gravity. Application of Marshall mix design types; Hot Mix Asphalt (HMA), Warm Mix Asphalt (WMA) and Cold in place Recycled (CIR). Four different mix design were used; control mix contains virgin asphalt by HMA, where the other three mix designs were Polymer Modified Asphalt (PMA) by HMA, WMA and CIR. The research results showed that, using 4 wt.% of the prepared nanoemulsion copolymer producing HMA and WMA with higher stability compared to the control mix and CIR.