Study of the use of confining pressure when measuring the comples modulus of full-depth reclamation materials

In QuA©bec, for more than twenty years, Cold In-Place Recycling (CIR) and Full-Depth Reclamation (FDR) have been reliable rehabilitatin techniques; restoring pavement condition at an affordable cost and a lower footprint on the environment. Experience reveals that CIR and FDR interventions effectively address the issues of reflective cracking and respect QuA©bec Ministry of Transportation rutting threshold values. However, despite their commendable performance in the field, Cold Recycled Mixtures (CRM) have yet to be adequately characterised with respect to their rheological properties. In this regard, the study of the mechanical behaviour of a FDR mixture treated with emulsion and containing 50 percent of Reclaimed Asphalt Pavement (RAP) and 50 percent of virgin aggregates, was carried out. With respect to the influence of curing on FDR mixtures, samples were subjected to th eIndirect Tensile Strength test considering five different curing protocols. Rheological properties were investigated through a complex modulus test conducted at different confining pressures. On the basis of limited test results, it was concluded that a longer curing period would produce higher tensile strength and a significant increase in the resistance to moisture damage. The confining pressure shows significant influence on the complex modulus of FDR mixtures.