The growing emphasis on sustainability in pavement engineering has increased the utilization of Reclaimed Asphalt Pavement (RAP) in asphalt mixtures. However, high RAP content often results in stiffness and reduced performance due to the aging of bitumen. To address this, rejuvenators are commonly applied to ameliorate the performance of high RAP mixtures. This study evaluates the effectiveness of a lab-prepared soybean oil-based rejuvenator in blended bitumen and asphalt mixtures containing 50%RAP. The rejuvenator was synthesized through a controlled process and blended with aged bitumen. Laboratory tests were conducted including the Dynamic Shear Rheometer (DSR), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Indirect Tensile Rutting Test (IDEAL-RT) and Indirect Tensile Cracking Test (IDEAL-CT). Results indicate that the soybean oil-based rejuvenator restores the rheological properties of aged bitumen, significantly enhancing in cracking resistance while effectively maintaining rutting resistance. FTIR analysis provided clear evidence of chemical interactions between the rejuvenator and the aged bitumen, specifically showing a reduction in carbonyl and sulfoxide functional group intensities. These findings suggest that lab-prepared soybean oil-based rejuvenators offer a sustainable and effective solution for improving the performance of high-RAP asphalt mixtures.
JahanbakhshHKarimiMMNaseriH, et al.Sustainable asphalt concrete containing high reclaimed asphalt pavements and recycling agents: performance assessment, cost analysis, and environmental impact. J Clean Prod2020; 244. DOI: 10.1016/j.jclepro.2019.118837.
2.
ShacatJWillisJRCiavolaB. GHG emissions inventory for asphalt mix production. Current industry practices and opportunities to reduce future emissions. 2022.
3.
ThivesLPGhisiE. Asphalt mixtures emission and energy consumption: a review. Renew Sustain Energy Rev2017; 72: 473–484.
4.
CheraghianGCannone FalchettoAYouZ, et al.Warm mix asphalt technology: an up to date review. J Clean Prod2020; 268: 122–128.
5.
TutuKATuffourYATutuKA, et al.Warm-mix asphalt and pavement sustainability: a review. Open J Civ Eng2016; 6: 84–93.
6.
RubioMCMartínezGBaenaL, et al.Warm mix asphalt: an overview. J Clean Prod2012; 24: 76–84.
7.
XieZTranNJulianG, et al.Performance of asphalt mixtures with high recycled contents using rejuvenators and warm-mix additive: field and lab experiments. J Mater Civ Eng2017; 29: 04017190.
8.
XiaoFHouXAmirkhanianS, et al.Superpave evaluation of higher RAP contents using WMA technologies. Constr Build Mater2016; 112: 1080–1087.
9.
VaitkusAČygasDLaurinavičiusA, et al.Influence of warm mix asphalt technology on asphalt physical and mechanical properties. Constr Build Mater2016; 112: 800–806.
10.
WuSWenHZhangW, et al.Field performance of top-down fatigue cracking for warm mix asphalt pavements. Int J Pavement Eng2019; 20: 33–43.
11.
Medeiros Melo NetoOMinervina SilvaIde Figueiredo Lopes LucenaLC, et al.Viability of recycled asphalt mixtures with soybean oil sludge fatty acid. Constr Build Mater2022; 349. Epub ahead of print 26 September 2022. DOI: 10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2022.128728.
12.
ElkashefMPodolskyJWilliamsRC, et al.Introducing a soybean oil-derived material as a potential rejuvenator of asphalt through rheology, mix characterisation and Fourier transform infrared analysis. Road Mater Pavement Des2018; 19: 1750–1770.
13.
ElkashefMWilliamsRC. Improving fatigue and low temperature performance of 100% RAP mixtures using a soybean-derived rejuvenator. Constr Build Mater2017; 151: 345–352.
14.
DaoDVNguyenNLNguyenMH, et al.Evaluation of cracking resistance of warm mix asphalt incorporating high reclaimed asphalt pavement content. J Mater Des Appl2022; 236: 2550–2560.
15.
KaseerFYinFArámbula-MercadoE, et al.Stiffness characterization of asphalt mixtures with high recycled material content and recycling agents. J Transp Res Board2017; 2633: 58–68.
16.
KaseerFCucalonLGArámbula-MercadoE, et al.Practical tools for optimizing recycled materials content and recycling agent dosage for improved short- and long-term performance of rejuvenated binder blends and mixtures. In: Asphalt paving technology: association of asphalt paving technologists-proceedings of the technical sessions, pp.513–555: Association of Asphalt Paving Technologist.
17.
MogawerWBennertTDanielJS, et al.Performance characteristics of plant produced high RAP mixtures. Road Mater Pavement Des2012; 13: 183–208.
18.
TranNTaylorATurnerP, et al.Effect of rejuvenator on performance characteristics of high RAP mixture. Road Mater Pavement Des2017; 18: 183–208.
19.
NabizadehHHaghshenasHFKimYR, et al.Effects of rejuvenators on high-RAP mixtures based on laboratory tests of asphalt concrete (AC) mixtures and fine aggregate matrix (FAM) mixtures. Constr Build Mater2017; 152: 65–73.
20.
NguyenLNTruongVQDaoDV, et al.Effects of rejuvenators and aging conditions on the properties of blended bitumen and the cracking behavior of hot asphalt mixtures with a high RAP content. J Mater Des Appl2024; 238. DOI: 10.1177/1464420724123.
21.
MogawerWSAustermanAJKluttzR, et al.Using polymer modification and rejuvenators to improve the performance of high reclaimed asphalt pavement mixtures. Transp Res Rec2016; 2575: 10–18.
22.
Espinoza-LuqueAFAl-QadiILOzerH. Optimizing rejuvenator content in asphalt concrete to enhance its durability. Constr Build Mater2018; 179: 642–648.
23.
NCAT Report 12-05. Effect of rejuvenator on performance properties of HMA mixtures with high RAP and RAS contents. 2012.
24.
ZaumanisMMallickRBFrankR. Evaluation of different recycling agents for restoring aged asphalt binder and performance of 100% recycled asphalt. Mater Struct2014; 48: 2475–2488.
25.
MangiaficoSSauzéatCDi BenedettoH, et al.Complex modulus and fatigue performances of bituminous mixtures with reclaimed asphalt pavement and a recycling agent of vegetable origin. Road Mater Pavement Des2017; 18: 315–330.
26.
SeidelJCHaddockJE. Rheological characterization of asphalt binders modified with soybean fatty acids. Constr Build Mater2014; 53: 324–332.
27.
SantosFBFaxinaALde Aguiar SoaresS. Soy-based rejuvenated asphalt binders: impact on rheological properties and chemical aging indices. Constr Build Mater2021; 300: 124220.
28.
KaseerFMartinAEArámbula-MercadoE. Use of recycling agents in asphalt mixtures with high recycled materials contents in the United States: a literature review. Constr Build Mater2019; 211: 974–987.
29.
PortugalACXLucenaLCFLLucenaAEFL, et al.Rheological performance of soybean in asphalt binder modification. Road Mater Pavement Des2018; 19: 768–782.
30.
YangQZhuQXuR, et al.Synergism and mechanisms of aging resistance in the use of graphene and carbon nanotubes in bitumen composites. Langmuir2025; 41: 842–857.
31.
Subbarao NagabhushanaraoSVijayakumarAS. Chemical and rheological characteristics of accelerate aged asphalt binders using rolling thin film oven. Constr Build Mater2021; 272: 121995.
32.
YangXPengCChenJ, et al.Effect of short-term aging on rheological properties of bio-asphalt/SBS/PPA composite modified asphalt. Case Stud Constr Mater2023; 19: e02439.
33.
GuoMGuanMTanY, et al.Using rheology to study the effect of aging on fatigue performance of asphalt binder. Road Mater Pavement Des2025. Epub ahead of print 7 January 2025. DOI: 10.1080/14680629.2024.2447817.
34.
PartlMN. Advances in interlaboratory testing and evaluation of bituminous materials. Netherlands: Springer, 2013.
35.
IwamaMHayanoK. Influence of combined aging on the mechanical and physical properties of reclaimed asphalt pavement mixtures blended with rejuvenator agents. J Mater Cycles Waste Manag2023; 25: 1417–1433.
36.
GrilliAGnisciMIBocciM. Effect of ageing process on bitumen and rejuvenated bitumen. Constr Build Mater2017; 136: 474–481.
37.
ZiariHMoniriABahriP, et al.The effect of rejuvenators on the aging resistance of recycled asphalt mixtures. Constr Build Mater2019; 224: 89–98.
LeeHNguyenLNSturliniE, et al.Cool mix asphalt—redefining warm mix asphalt with implementations in Korea, Italy and Vietnam. Infrastructures2025; 10: 24.
40.
Research project DT2304. Research on manufacturing bio-based rejuvenator used in hot recycled asphalt technology with high RAP content. 2023.
41.
Research project KC.02.16/16-20. Research on design and manufacture of warm recycled asphalt mixtures and its application in road construction. 2020.
42.
AASHTO T164. Standard method of test for quantitative extraction of asphalt binder from hot mix asphalt (HMA). American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials.
43.
AASHTO R59. Standard practice for recovery of asphalt binder from solution by Abson method. American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials.
AASHTO T240. Standard method of test for effect of heat and air on a moving film of asphalt binder (rolling thin-film oven test). American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials.
46.
AASHTO R28. Standard practice for accelerated aging of asphalt binder using a pressurized aging vessel (PAV). American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials.
47.
AASHTO T315. Standard method of test for determining the rheological properties of asphalt binder using a dynamic shear rheometer (DSR). American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials.
AASHTO R30. Standard practice for mixture conditioning of hot mix asphalt (HMA). American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials.
50.
NCHRP 871 Report. Long-term aging of asphalt mixtures for performance testing and prediction. Transportation Research Board, 5 April 2018. Epub ahead of print 5 April 2018. DOI: 10.17226/24959.
51.
D8360 A. Standard test method for determination of rutting tolerance index of asphalt mixture using the ideal rutting test. American Society for Testing and Materials. 2022: 1–6.
52.
VamsikrishnaGSinghD. Comparison of rutting resistance of plant produced asphalt mixes using Hamburg wheel tracker and surrogate simple performance tests: IDEAL-RT and HT-IDT. J Mater Civ Eng2023; 35: 1–11.
53.
ASTM D8225. Standard test method for determination of cracking tolerance index of asphalt mixture using the indirect tensile cracking test at intermediate temperature. American Society for Testing and Materials.
54.
JacobsGMargaritisAHernandoD, et al.Influence of soft binder and rejuvenator on the mechanical and chemical properties of bituminous binders. J Clean Prod2021; 287: 125596.
55.
CavalliMCZaumanisMMazzaE, et al.Effect of ageing on the mechanical and chemical properties of binder from RAP treated with bio-based rejuvenators. Compos Part B Eng2018; 141: 174–181.
56.
RenSLiuXVarveriA, et al.Aging and rejuvenation effects on the rheological response and chemical parameters of bitumen. J Mater Res Technol2023; 25: 1289–1313.
57.
RenSLiuXLinP, et al.Toward the long-term aging influence and novel reaction kinetics models of bitumen. Int J Pavement Eng2023; 24. Epub ahead of print 28 January 2023. DOI: 10.1080/10298436.2021.2024188.
58.
ZhouFHuSNewcombD. Development of a performance-related framework for production quality control with ideal cracking and rutting tests. Constr Build Mater2020; 261: 120549.
DiefenderferSBozIHabboucheJ. Balanced mix design for surface asphalt mixtures : Phase I : initial roadmap development and specification verification. 2021.
