Implementation of Cold In-Place Recycling with Expanded Asphalt Technology in Canada

Cold in-place recycling (CIR) is a pavement rehabilitation method that processes an existing hot-mix pavement, sizes it, mixes in additional asphalt cement, and lays it back down without off-site hauling and processing. The added asphalt cement is typically emulsified asphalt. A recent development in CIR technology is the use of expanded (foamed) asphalt rather than emulsified asphalt to bind the mix. This combination of CIR and expanded asphalt technologies is termed cold in-place recycled expanded asphalt mix (CIREAM). The Ministry of Transportation Ontario (MTO) constructed a CIREAM trial section on Highway 7 in July 2003. The 5-km CIREAM trial section was constructed adjacent to an 8-km section on which conventional CIR was performed. CIREAM placement resulted in a smooth, hard, uniform surface that provided an excellent platform for paving operations. The CIREAM placement progressed in a continuous and efficient manner, with 5 km placed over a 3-day period. Indirect tensile strength testing was carried out on both materials during construction. Falling weight deflectometer (FWD) testing and evaluation of pavement roughness and rutting by the use of MTO's automatic road analyzer (ARAN) were carried out. Resilient modulus testing of core samples of the CIR material and CIREAM was also carried out. The results of the FWD, ARAN, and resilient modulus tests indicated that the CIR and CIREAM pavements were performing similarly. A field review 1 year after construction showed no discernible distortion, rutting, or cracking. On the basis of short-term results, CIREAM appears to be an acceptable in-place recycling and rehabilitation strategy that provides an economical alternative to conventional CIR, reduces curing time, and extends the construction season.