Laboratory performance and field demonstration of asphalt overlay with recycled rubber and tire fabric fiber

The escalating number of vehicles has precipitated a surge in tire production, resulting in an increased accumulation of waste materials such as ground tire rubber (GTR) and tire fabric fibers. Integrating recycled materials into asphalt pavement stands as a viable solution to mitigate the issue of waste accumulation. The objective of this study was to assess the durability and aging resistance of hot mix asphalt (HMA) enhanced with GTR and tire fabric fibers, in contrast to traditional HMA. A high-quality pavement incorporating GTR, and tire fibers was constructed in Michigan. Findings indicated that the inclusion of tire fabric fibers markedly bolstered the rutting and cracking resistance of HMA. Viscoelastic testing further confirmed the superior rutting and cracking resistance of the asphalts modified with GTR alone and in combination with tire fibers, relative to conventional asphalt. Additionally, field evaluations of noise levels showed a 2-3 dB decrease in noise with GTR-modified asphalt pavements, and after two years in service, the overlays modified with GTR and fibers exhibited no cracking. Ultimately, asphalt pavements modified with both rubber and tire fibers demonstrated enhanced performance over traditional pavements, offering a quieter and more durable roadway solution.