Évaluation en laboratoire de l'influence d'utiliser de forts taux de granulats bitumineux récupérés dans les enrobés à chaud

Abstract

Canada's heavy reliance on its road network for the transportation of goods and people underscores the crucial importance of maintaining these infrastructures in the best possible condition. This thesis explores the use of reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP) in the construction and rehabilitation of pavements, a promising approach to optimizing both costs and the environmental footprint of these essential infrastructures. Despite their significant potential benefits in terms of cost reduction and environmental footprint, the incorporation of RABs into asphalt mixes at high rates is limited by a lack of confirmatory data on their longterm behavior, especially under the constraints of Canada's northern climate. This doctoral research aims to fill this gap by developing asphalt mixes containing a high percentage of RAP and thoroughly evaluating their performance in the laboratory. The experimental program is structured around three main areas: first, a detailed study of RAP characterization to understand its composition and physical properties; second, an analysis of the impact of mixer type and mixing time on the volumetric properties and performance of the asphalt mixes; and third, an evaluation of the performance of asphalt mixes containing different percentages of RAP, specifically focusing on the mobilization of recycled bitumen and its interaction with new bitumen. The experimental results, presented in this thesis in the form of scientific articles, have shown that while incorporating RAP at high rates presents challenges, such as increased brittleness and early cracking risks, properly adjusted formulations can significantly improve pavement durability. These findings make an important contribution to the existing literature and open new avenues for the optimized use of RAP in the road industry. They suggest that specific adaptations to Canadian climatic conditions are necessary to maximize the benefits of using RAP while minimizing the associated risks. In conclusion, this thesis offers innovative insights into the formulation and characterization of asphalt mixes with high RAP content, providing recommendations for their practical application in the Canadian context. It also proposes strategies to overcome current limitations through a better understanding of the interactions between recycled and new materials, thus offering opportunities for significant improvements in the durability and performance of pavements nationwide.

Date	29 Aug 2024
Original language	French
Awarding Institution	École de technologie supérieure
Supervisor	Alan Carter (Supervisor) & Kevin Bilodeau (Co-supervisor)