Mallick, R.B., P.S. Kandhal, et al.

Laboratory Study of Full-Depth Reclamation

Mixes. Transportation Research Board, Transportation Research Record 1813,
2002.
ABSTRACT

Full-depth reclamation (FDR) is the technique of in-place recycling of the asphalt-

bound layer of a pavement along with part of the underlying unbound layer to produce
an improved base material. The objective was to develop a mix design system for
FDR and evaluate the performance of designed reclaimed materials from the western
part of Maine. Mixes were prepared in the laboratory, and samples were compacted
with the Superpave gyratory compactor. The samples were then tested for bulk
specific gravity and resilient modulus. Samples of mixes prepared with asphalt
emulsion, water, emulsion plus lime, emulsion plus cement, and emulsion plus lime
and cement were also tested for their resilient moduli at different cure times and for
their shear strengths. Rut tests were also conducted with the samples under water to
evaluate the stripping potentials of the different mixes. The test results showed that
maximum density and resilient modulus criteria can be used to select the optimum
additive content for water and asphalt emulsion mixes. Comparison of performance
testing results showed that mixes with additives develop strength faster and show
significantly higher shear strength and stripping resistance than mixes with water
only. For the materials tested, addition of lime and cement with asphalt emulsion
appears to increase the rate of gain in strength and, hence, to result in faster curing
and to increase the shear strength as well as resistance against moisture damage. It is
recommended that FDR sections with asphalt emulsion, lime, and cement be
constructed and evaluated for in-place performance.